Arrest of the Director of a Persian Language Satellite Network in Iran

According to some news websites, Iranian security organizations have arrested "the director of one of the Persian language satellite networks" in Iran, leading to the closure of the network. The Young Journalists Club website reported on Wednesday evening, January 30, that "security agencies, after months of focus and intelligence gathering on the main actors of the AAA television network in three European countries, executed a complex intelligence operation to arrest its senior manager inside Iran." While the Young Journalists Club did not specify the names of these security agencies, Iranian television in the 20:30 news segment mentioned the "Ministry of Intelligence" and the state-run news agency IRIB referred to the "Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps." The report stated that the arrested individual was "attempting to sell two television networks under his control to BBC Persian under the guidance of the British foreign intelligence service" and had "significant business connections with Gem TV network." The article also attributed accusations such as "creating a vast network for transferring Iranian youth abroad and involving them in unethical issues," "earning more than $850,000 through this means," "managing and establishing three major corruption companies in one of the regional countries with a turnover of over $500,000," "creating an advertising recruitment network and hiring affiliates within the country," and "managing over 40 special pages and profiles on various social media with the aim of networking in the field of corruption" to the director and operators of this network. The AAA network was broadcast on Yahsat satellite and operated under two channels, AAA Family and AAA Music, providing entertainment programs, movies, series, and music. Currently, the broadcasts of these two channels have been halted, and the arrest of its director and the closure of the network have been announced on the Facebook page of this satellite television. In recent weeks, news about the departure of several actors, directors, and cinema and television personnel from Iran to join one of the satellite networks for producing films and series in Persian has caused controversy. In this context, a few days ago, Hojjatollah Ayubi, the head of the Cinema Organization, reacted to the migration of some actors and cinema personnel intending to work in satellite networks by writing a note. In part of this note, he stated: "From time to time, we hear that an artist or performer, by posting a photo and a post on social media, separates from the caravan of several thousand years of Iranian culture and civilization in hopes of a better life. This separation is very sad. However, the so-called better life is everyone's right. I do not intend to give advice here, as I am not in such a position." On the other hand, Hossein Nooshabadi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Culture, also announced on December 13 that according to the laws of this ministry and the government, any cooperation with foreign satellite networks is considered a violation and will be dealt with according to regulations.