Isfahan Governor Reports Existence of Several Videos Related to Acid Attacks

The governor of Isfahan announced the existence of "videos" related to the chain acid attacks in Isfahan, which, according to him, "indicates" that the perpetrator of the acid attacks has "psychological problems." Rasul Zargarpour also mentioned "the covering" of women and identified "ideological motivation" as one of three possible reasons for these acid attacks, but assessed the likelihood of this motivation as "weak." According to Iska News Agency, the governor stated on Tuesday, November 27, that until the arrest of the "main individual," the reason for the acid attacks in Isfahan cannot be determined "with certainty." He emphasized, "However, reports and videos indicate that the individual has psychological issues." The statements of the Isfahan governor come at a time when no government officials had previously mentioned the existence of videos related to the acid attacks in Isfahan. Nasser Jorkesh, the father of Soheila Jorkesh, one of the "victims" of the acid attacks in Isfahan, stated in an interview with the weekly "Tamashagaran" published on November 3 that the police could easily track down "two motorcyclists" responsible for these acid attacks using traffic cameras. According to Mr. Jorkesh, besides traffic cameras, a fire station on the street where the incident occurred also has surveillance cameras, and the police can use footage from this surveillance camera as well. The Isfahan governor also reported a "significant number of suspects" related to the acid attacks in the city and added, "It is still unclear whether a specific individual is the main suspect... Therefore, we have not arrested any suspect as the main perpetrator." Mr. Zargarpour stated that the investigation is at a "sensitive stage" and added, "Due to the sensitivity, we do not disclose much information so as not to disrupt decisions and follow-ups regarding the identifications made." The Isfahan governor cited "personal motivation" as one possible reason for the acid attacks and, without providing details, mentioned that "some women have had connections." He referred to "psychological motivation" as the second possible reason for the acid attacks in Isfahan. Regarding the third reason, he said, "Ideological motivation, which may relate to the covering of women, as they belong to a different behavioral group, has a weak likelihood because we have had acid attacks from both behavioral groups." The statements of the Isfahan governor come at a time when in recent weeks, officials of the Islamic Republic have emphasized that these acid attacks are not related to hijab and "promotion of virtue and prevention of vice and hijab." Ismail Ahmadi Moghadam, the commander of the Islamic Republic's police force, stated on November 28, "With the good cooperation of the intelligence department, good efforts have been made in the acid attack case in Isfahan, and we have reached good leads; however, the main criminal has not been arrested." According to IRNA news agency, he added, "Throughout the year, we have 600 to 700 cases of acid attacks, most of which are on property rather than individuals." Mr. Ahmadi Moghadam also stated on November 21 that since the beginning of this year, there have been "318 cases of acid attacks," most of whose perpetrators have been arrested. In this context, a month has passed since the acid attacks in Isfahan; the perpetrators have still not been arrested. The National Security Commission of the Parliament: the acid attacks had personal motivations. Ahmadi Moghadam: 318 cases of acid attacks have occurred since the beginning of this year. The Deputy Minister of Interior of Iran: details of the acid attacks will be announced soon. The Minister of Health: there are platforms that produce psychological disorders.