Criticism of the Ministry of Intelligence's Collaboration with 'Repression Projects' under Rouhani's Government

The Coordination Council of the Green Path of Hope has issued a statement accusing the Ministry of Intelligence of 'collaboration' with the IRGC's intelligence organization and the judiciary in part of 'repression projects', referring to the 'efforts of authoritarian extremists to impose political blockage on society'. This group, close to Mir Hossein Mousavi, highlighted the death of Shahrokh Zamani, a labor activist in Rajai Shahr prison, the issuance of a new three-year prison sentence for Rasoul Badaghi, a jailed teacher, the arrest of several members of the Iranian Teachers' Association, and the continued 'illegal' imprisonment of Bahareh Hedayat, a student activist, without naming the 'summoning and arrest' of several student activists ahead of the reopening of universities. In the statement published on Tuesday, September 30, on the Kaleme website, it emphasized that 'authoritarian extremists are clearly afraid of the movements of civil society and the revival of civil society'. According to the Coordination Council of the Green Path of Hope, they are trying to impose political blockage and passivity on the reformist society through intimidation and violence, not just relying on the Guardian Council's supervisory oversight, with less than six months remaining before the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. The statement stressed: 'The unfortunate and thought-provoking point is the Ministry of Intelligence's collaboration in part of these repression projects, aligned with the IRGC's intelligence organization and the revolutionary courts and judiciary, which requires serious follow-up by the President.' Previously, some groups critical of the Islamic Republic and even some supporters of Hassan Rouhani's government have accused the Ministry of Intelligence of being involved in dealing with political activists, civil activists, and cultural groups. For instance, the Kaleme website, close to Mir Hossein Mousavi, reported on September 5, 2014, about the 'role' of the Ministry of Intelligence under Hassan Rouhani in 'summoning and threatening civil activists'. Meanwhile, Ali Younesi, the Minister of Intelligence in Mohammad Khatami's government, had previously stated that the Ministry of Intelligence had not yet been 'captured' by Hassan Rouhani's government. Younesi later clarified in mid-October 2014 that he meant the government had not yet fully 'taken control' of the Ministry of Intelligence. Furthermore, Abolfazl Ghadiani, a member of the Central Council of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization and a former political prisoner, harshly criticized the Ministry of Intelligence and accused President Hassan Rouhani of 'breaking promises' to voters regarding 'eliminating the security atmosphere from the country'. The Ministry of Intelligence under Hassan Rouhani had previously prevented the holding of meetings of some political and cultural groups critical of the Iranian government, including the National Front of Iran and the Iranian Writers' Association. However, Mahmoud Alavi, the Minister of Intelligence, stated in mid-May this year that the summoning of individuals by this ministry 'is done with utmost respect, in a suitable environment', and those summoned are asked 'not to fall into the enemy's trap'. The Coordination Council of the Green Path of Hope also demanded 'transparent' accountability from judicial institutions regarding the 'untimely' death of Shahrokh Zamani, a labor activist, in Rajai Shahr prison. This council also called on senior judicial officials, the prison organization, and Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, to fulfill their legal duties regarding the oversight of prison conditions and the health of prisoners 'regardless of the reasons for their arrest and charges' and to 'uphold the regulations of the prison organization and the civil rights of prisoners'. The council also urged 'allies' of the Green Movement to work towards raising awareness about human rights violations in Iran 'from the leaders of the Green Movement to anonymous citizens'. Shahrokh Zamani, who was serving an 11-year prison sentence, died on Sunday, September 22, due to a 'stroke' in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. Some international organizations and labor unions in Iran have called for investigations into the cause or causes of his death.