Arrest of Some Citizens for Expressing Opinions About Kerman Explosions
The Kerman explosions and statements made by some citizens regarding these explosions in cyberspace led to their arrest.
Following the deadly explosion last week in Kerman that resulted in over 100 people killed and wounded, social media and its activists faced significant tensions with cyber activists close to security agencies. Cyber activists close to security agencies identified and exposed the identities of government-critical users who commented on the Kerman explosions, and security agencies subsequently summoned and arrested these individuals and suspended their accounts. Approximately 76 percent of cyberspace users across the country were arrested in relation to this incident.
According to “Hrana,” dozens of channels and accounts active in cyberspace close to security agencies identified and exposed the identities of users who had published critical or satirical posts on the fourth anniversary of Qasem Soleimani, which coincided with the deadly explosions in Kerman.
In this action, over 108 citizens were summoned to security and judicial agencies, and in addition, 537 virtual pages were blocked and 2 business centers in Mazandaran and South Khorasan were sealed.
This action by security agencies has raised concerns about privacy and freedom of expression in Iran, particularly regarding activities in cyberspace.
The Tehran Prosecutor also charged “Sadegh Zibakalam” and 7 prominent social media figures who had published posts about the Kerman explosions. Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported “making statements contrary to ethics and law” regarding the deadly Kerman explosions as the reason these individuals are criminals.
“Mohammad Jafar Montazeri,” Chief of the Supreme Court of Iran, and “Mohammad Hadi Rahimi-Sadegh,” the director of the Tehran Seminary, also demanded strict measures against individuals who had published posts following the Kerman explosion.
