Sudden filtering of the "Ashkan News" website by order of the Attorney General

The "Ashkan News" website was suddenly filtered by order of the Attorney General.

According to the Human Rights in Iran report, the country's Attorney General ordered the blocking of the news website "Ashkan News" in an unexpected move without prior notice or warning. This sudden removal signifies the lack of freedom of expression and the rule of law.

This news site, edited by Hassan Abbasi, recently published articles about violations in the Court of Accounts, the Ports Organization, and the Road Administration Organization in other provinces of the country, and had attracted public attention by criticizing the performance of some government managers. After publishing these articles, the site in question was suddenly removed from users' access without any warning, summons, or condemnation, thus bringing the issue of restrictions on media freedom and censorship to the headlines.

In recent months, the news site has also published reports on administrative and economic corruption, which has raised concerns among interested parties. The editor-in-chief of this news outlet is known among journalists for exposing irregularities and financial bribes. According to statements by journalists and media activists, the filtering of this site is also not unrelated to his recent revelations.

The blocking of this news site, without following the legal procedure, led to the filing of an official complaint against this illegal filtering, on the grounds of violation of civil rights, freedom of expression, abuse of power, and disruption of business. Considering that the Ashkan News site has an official license to operate and according to the existing laws for the operation of news sites, any dealings with the media must be done through a legal and transparent procedure, but the filtering of this media outlet was carried out without any prior warning or providing legal documentation for criminal content, on the orders of the Attorney General's Office.

Many critics also responded to this filtering by stating: "Blocking the media is erasing the issue, not solving it. This action not only undermines public trust in transparency and media freedom, but can also have negative consequences for the country's media and social environment."

Hassan Abbasi, the editor-in-chief of this media outlet, also said: "The truth cannot be hidden behind a wall of censorship. A society that does not have access to free information remains in the dark."

Media experts also stated: "In addition to restricting the information space, this measure opens the way for the spread of rumors and unofficial information. Independent media is a criticism of power and a source of clarity for public opinion, but when such media are simply filtered, the question arises: does it not have the strength to tolerate criticism?"

Now, will the authorities give a clear answer to this filtering, or will they, as always, replace a clear answer with silence and repression?