Iran’s Ministry Of Intelligence Interrogates University Students

Despite being blasted by human rights organizations all over the world for consistently violating human rights, detaining journalists for speaking out against the regime and threatening journalists from Farsi-language media including Iran International reporters on British soil, Setayeshi said that that the government in the UK did not “prioritize the fundamental rights of its citizens.”

"It is imperative for me to express my regret over the repeated violations of human rights, minority rights, women's and children's rights, and the lamentable state of freedom of expression in the UK,” he said during a weekly press briefing on Tuesday.

“I hereby admonish this government to prioritize the fundamental rights of its citizens, including the rights of prisoners and the rights of journalists, and to responsibly prevent the infringement of these individuals' rights."

Setayeshi's remarks were prompted by a recent tweet from the British Ambassador in Iran, Simon Shercliff, which called for the release of detained journalists and resulted in him being summoned by Iran's foreign ministry.

Setayeshi criticized these kinds of comments as impertinent and audacious. "It should be acknowledged that Iran's response to the impertinence and historical interference of British government entities in our internal affairs has consistently been firm,” he said.

"It is prudent for the representative of the British monarchy's government, before rushing to his computer to tweet on social media, to first present a comprehensive dossier outlining how his predecessors' interventions have brought shame and humiliation upon themselves in the eyes of the Iranian nation. By doing so, he will restrain himself from committing such audacity again."

Last week, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) spokesman warned Iranian journalists to avoid critical reporting, which they said would aid the enemies.

Ahmad Khatami's remarks were made in response to last year's nationwide demonstrations after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which he said were a "failure".

Addressing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces and police units on Monday, Khatami emphasized the imperative of safeguarding the Islamic Republic. “Preserving the Islamic Republic is one of our obligations,” he said, as well as praising the Basij militia forces for their actions in the previous protests. "Basij militia forces were persecuted during these events and sacrificed their lives so that the Islamic Republic would pass through this stage," Khatami said.

However, Khatami's statements sharply contrast with reports from independent media outlets and human rights organizations saying that Basij forces, in particular, were responsible for violent aggression against the protests. The Women, Life, Freedom protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, were met with severe and deadly oppression by the security and military forces of the Islamic Republic.

Although a precise tally of casualties is unclear, some media sources have verified and disclosed the identities of 373 individuals who lost their lives. Meanwhile, human rights entities such as the Iran Human Rights Organization and the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) have placed the estimated death toll at over 500.

In his address, Ahmad Khatami summarized the various challenges that have beset the Islamic Republic over the past four decades. He remarked, "Many dangers have threatened the Islamic Republic during the past four decades and many of these dangers have been the danger of overthrow.”

The regime handed down these charges after Roustayi’s defied their explicit objections to allow his film ‘Leila's Brothers’ to be screened at Cannes Film Festival, Etemad Online revealed.

Roustayi will serve a preliminary portion equivalent to one-twentieth of his total sentence, while the remaining term will be suspended for five years. During this suspension, he is bound to refrain from any pursuits associated with the alleged offense, discontinue associations with fellow filmmaking professionals, and successfully complete a specialized curriculum at the state TV's university, in the religious city of Qom. This curriculum will focus on "filmmaking while preserving national and ethical interests."

‘Leila's Brothers’, which gives an insight into Iranian society through a complex family saga, was selected for the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Competition section, where it won the Citizen’s Award and the Prix FIPRESCI, chosen by The International Federation of Film Critics. It was also nominated for the distinguished Palme d'Or accolade.

Recognized for his thought-provoking cinematic narratives that explore themes of societal disparity and his nuanced portrayals of women within Iranian society, Roustayi's artistic endeavors have garnered widespread admiration and commendation.

Last November, The House of Cinema, Iran's professional film association, compiled a list of 100 filmmakers as well as other movie, music and theater personalities who have been either arrested or banned from work amidst nationwide anti-government protests. Such reports underscore the increasingly difficult and severe restrictions, which impede the work of creative professionals.

The journalist, who is also a student at Allameh Tabatabai University in Tehran, was arrested in July following a summons to the Prosecutor's Office at Evin prison.

After being released on bail on Sunday, she went to a police station to retrieve her mobile phone and was allegedly attacked by law enforcement officers. A witness reported that an officer struck Maroufian on the back of her head. Maroufian’s mother, who was with her, compared her daughter's treatment to the tragic case of Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of the morality police. The officer replied, "Yes, just like we killed her, we will kill this one as well."

Both mother and daughter were arrested and detained although Maroufian's mother was later released. The journalist herself was transferred to a quarantine ward within Qarchak prison, south of Tehran, based on a temporary arrest warrant.

Her initial arrest came after security agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided Maroufian's home and summoned her to the prosecutor's office.

Maroufian was previously employed by the moderate Iranian news website Rouydad 24, which had been a reliable source of news about developments in Iran. In March, the Iranian regime temporarily blocked access to the website after it published an interview with Amjad Amini, the father of Mahsa (Zina) Amini.

The Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic divulged details in a formal statement on Sunday, revealing the nature of the arrests. "The detained Baha'i family and their accomplices were engaged in the realm of medicines and cosmetics, " according to the Ministry.

Baha'i activists shared additional insights with Radio Farda, the Persian Service of Radio Free Europe in Prague, identifying those affected by the crackdown. These sources indicated that the Ministry of Intelligence agents conducted visits to the Tabibian family's pharmacies and warehouses, during which, they also confiscated communication devices belonging to some employees.

The ministry cited various accusations against the detained individuals, including "drug smuggling and hoarding, money laundering, and tax evasion." As a result, the security agency reported the seizure of "20 pharmacies and 3 cosmetics companies and warehouses" linked to the Tabibian family. Usually in such cases seized assets end up in the hands of regime organizations and insiders. 

Over the years, the Islamic Republic's security entities have subjected adherents of the Baha'i faith to undue pressure, often under the pretext of security concerns. These actions have frequently culminated in the confiscation or seizure of their properties. 

The ongoing plight of Baha'is in Iran continues to raise international concerns. Presently, three members of Yaran-e Iran, a Baha’i community group remain incarcerated under security-related orders.

The Islamic Republic of Iran refuses to acknowledge the Baha'i faith, and the followers of this religion have been subjected to extensive restrictions and hardships since 1979.