Iranian press review: Fears grow for thousands of detainees whose fate remains unknown
Rights groups say over 10,000 protesters arrested
Fears for the fate of thousands of arrested Iranian protesters are growing, as security forces continue a brutal nationwide crackdown on demonstrations.
There are still no precise figures on the number of detainees, but human rights groups estimate that more than 10,000 people have been taken into custody.
On Wednesday, concerns about possible death sentences increased after Justice Minister Amin Hossein Rahimi described last week’s events in Iran as “a civil war”.
Speaking about the events of 8-11 January, Rahimi said: “[In those days] there was no question of protest. It was a full-fledged civil war, and whoever was arrested during those two days is definitely a criminal because they were present at the scene.”
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Earlier, the head of Iran’s judiciary had also called for a rapid review of the cases of those arrested.
Responding to these comments, Hossein Bastani, an Iranian journalist in exile, wrote on X: “The government does not limit the killing of protesters to the streets. The lives of many detainees are also at risk if the rulers consider execution to be a cheap option.”
Earlier this week, rights group Hengaw reported that 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, arrested in connection with protests in the city of Karaj, was due to be executed on Wednesday.
However, amid US threats of action should Iran carry out executions, Iran’s foreign minister said the country had “no plan” to carry out hangings.
The judiciary later said Soltani would not be sentenced to death.
Reports on the number of people killed in the protests also vary widely, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand.
Appeal for lawyers to assist detainees
Dadban, a legal NGO operating outside Iran that has provided advice and support to people detained on political charges in recent years, has urged lawyers to step in and assist those arrested in the latest protests.
The group, which offers free legal counselling via social media platforms, has announced its communication channels to Persian-speaking audiences. However, with a nationwide telecommunications shutdown in Iran, it remains unclear how many people inside the country will be able to access the platforms.
In a statement, the group of lawyers said: “While appreciating the lawyers who have volunteered with us, we call on other lawyers in the country not to remain passive and to join this effort to provide legal support to detainees.
“Since many of the detainees are young and unaware of their legal rights, this lack of knowledge can worsen the situation of their cases.”
Several Iranian lawyers have previously defended political prisoners and people sentenced to death, but some have also been arrested and imprisoned for their legal work.
'No religious tyranny, no monarchy'
In a message from inside Evin Prison attributed to Verisheh Moradi, the Kurdish political prisoner expressed support for protesters who have taken to the streets, while opposing pro-monarchy groups.
Moradi was arrested in 2023. Her death sentence was overturned just days before the start of the recent nationwide protests against the establishment.
In the message, posted on Persian social media and titled “No religious tyranny, no monarchy; women, life, freedom”, the activist described the current demonstrations as a continuation of the nationwide protests that began in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Those protests are known by their main slogan, “Women, life, freedom”.
Moradi wrote: “Power holders think they can imprison bodies, silence voices, and crush the will of the people, but history has repeatedly shown that no wall, no bar, and no rope has been able to extinguish the fire of resistance.”
She went on to criticise supporters of a return to the authoritarian system that ruled Iran until 1979.
“Today is not about a return; neither a return to the throne nor the reproduction of an Islamist system. The challenge is a historical transition from both forms of reactionary power,” she said.
Tehran moves to restrict future protests
Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill to restrict where demonstrations can be held.
Lawmakers, elected through tightly controlled elections and vetted by intelligence agencies and associates of the supreme leader, passed the bill on Wednesday as urgent, making its review a priority for Iranian representatives.
Mohammad Saleh Jokar, a hardline lawmaker, said of the bill: “This specifies places for marches and gatherings. It also sets conditions such as how to obtain permits, and penalties are provided in case of non-compliance with the law.”
The Iranian constitution recognises the right to protest, but imposes conditions on that right. Article 27 states: “The formation of gatherings and marches, without carrying weapons, is free, provided that the gathering does not violate the foundation of the Islamic Republic or disrupt public order.”
*Iranian press review is a digest of news reports not independently verified as accurate by Middle East Eye.
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