Multiple Arrests Made Over Election Disruption Charges
Iranian state media have reported dozens of arrests across several provinces over allegations of disrupting polling station operations during the election process.
Iranian state media have reported dozens of arrests across several provinces over allegations of disrupting polling station operations during the election process.
Election of a new parliament and the Assembly of Experts, which is tasked with choosing a new Supreme Leader, is underway in Iran amid forecasts of very low turnout. Many voters disillusioned by years of economic decline and more restrictions on freedom are expected to stay home, despite intense regime propaganda to boost participation.
Six people were detained in Rezvanshahr in Gilan province, 15 were arrested for illegal campaigning activities around polling stations in Kerman, and at least 10 in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.
According to the prosecutor of Yasouj, the provincial capital Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, one security officer was shot in the leg in Dena district and the assailant was arrested.
In Ardestan, Esfahan province, 12 people have been arrested since Thursday night on charges related to the election, the city’s governor said. According to authorities, the offenses range from disturbing public order to specific violations related to the electoral process.
The prosecutor of Golestan province has also announced the arrest of several people for electoral fraud by purchasing votes in the region. He emphasized that “candidates attempting to undermine the integrity of the elections through vote buying and selling will face severe consequences."
On Friday, the cyber-crime center of the intelligence organization of the police in Khorasan Razavi said that 11 Instagram accounts were identified in the province for “disturbing the public’s peace of mind, propaganda against the regime, and encouragement to boycotting the elections.” Judicial action has been taken against the admins of these pages, the statement said.
According to West Azarbaijan police force commander Rahim Jahanbakhsh, 50 political dissidents in the province were arrested for posting calls online for a boycott of the elections.
