Arrest of Members of a Virtual Group Accused of Creating 'Cyrus Day Ceremony Campaign and Prince's Return Campaign'

On the occasion of Cyrus Day, several websites and news agencies close to Iranian security institutions reported that the Ministry of Intelligence has arrested members of a group for creating a campaign for the Cyrus Day ceremony and a campaign for the return of the prince on social media. Sunday, November 7, is informally referred to as 'Cyrus the Great Day' in Iran, and recent reports have emerged about the security agencies' efforts to prevent ceremonies on this day in Pasargad, Fars Province. Meanwhile, the 'Watchdog' website, affiliated with Iranian security institutions, announced on Sunday that the Ministry of Intelligence had arrested members of a group that had called for a gathering to commemorate Cyrus Day on social media. This website accused the arrested individuals of intending to carry out actions such as 'damaging public property' on this day. The Watchdog also claimed that 'foreign sources' were 'guiding' these individuals. This website and the Fars news agency also published a video of forced confessions from several of the arrested individuals. In this video, the individuals stated that they had formed a 'Prince's Return Campaign' and a campaign regarding Cyrus Day on social media. This video was released at a time when many political and ideological prisoners in recent years have claimed that they were forced to make confessions under pressure and torture. Iranian officials typically deny the use of torture in prisons, but reports from human rights organizations indicate the application of torture against prisoners. Last year, several participants in the Cyrus Day ceremony at his tomb in Pasargad were arrested. In this context, Friday prayer leaders in Fars Province and conservative media have strongly attacked the commemoration of Cyrus Day in recent days. Alireza Siyahpour, the director general of road and transportation in Fars Province, announced on Friday, November 5, that the Marvdasht-Sourmaq-Abadeh road would be closed on Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7, due to 'repairs.' This road is the main route leading to Cyrus's tomb and part of the Shiraz-Isfahan highway. The ancient site of Pasargad is located about 135 kilometers from Shiraz and three kilometers from the paved road from Shiraz to Abadeh. Last Wednesday, a listener of Radio Farda sent a message from Pasargad quoting local people stating that 'due to the proximity of November 7, Cyrus Day, security agencies are erecting barriers around Pasargad, the tomb of Cyrus, to prevent people from gathering in this location.' In recent days, videos have also circulated on social media showing dozens of riot police vehicles being dispatched to the Pasargad area. Last year, a group of demonstrators in Pasargad chanted slogans including 'Iran is our homeland, Cyrus is our father' and also slogans against the Islamic Republic government. According to reports, other slogans chanted by demonstrators on this day in Pasargad included 'Happy Birthday, Prince,' referring to November 9, the birthday of Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran. He also reacted to this slogan on his Facebook page, stating it was 'the best birthday gift in recent years.' The Babylonian inscription known as the 'Nabonidus Chronicle' marks November 7 (October 29) as the day Babylon was opened by Cyrus the Great; a day that, based on the 'Cyrus Cylinder,' 'Nabonidus Cylinders,' and other historical data, led to the abolition of slavery and forced labor, the freedom of slaves and servants, and the writing of the Cyrus Babylonian cylinder, which is referred to as the first charter of human rights.