Skepticism from MP Regarding IRGC's Neutrality in Elections Following Recent Arrests

Mahmoud Sadeghi, a representative from Tehran in the Parliament, stated in a letter to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that the arrest of managers from several political Telegram channels has raised a "wave of concern" regarding the IRGC's "commitment" to its promise of non-interference in elections. Thus, this MP indirectly holds the IRGC responsible for the arrests that have occurred in the past two weeks. Meanwhile, the IRGC has yet to respond to these reports. According to ILNA, an Iranian labor news agency, Mr. Sadeghi reminded Mohammad Ali Jafari, the IRGC commander, in his letter dated Saturday, March 18, that "no one in the IRGC, whether from the guards or commanders, has the right to interfere politically or factionally in elections or to undermine candidates." This MP emphasized that these remarks have brought "great hope among the well-wishers of the system and the revolution" ahead of two important upcoming elections. However, he noted that the arrests of managers from several Telegram channels aligned with reformists and government supporters by the IRGC's intelligence organization have sparked a "wave of concern in society regarding this institution's practical commitment to these policies." In recent days, 12 managers of Telegram channels and several journalists, including Morad Saghafi, Ehsan Mazandarani, and Hengameh Shahidi, have been arrested. This MP stressed that "most" of the media space in the country, including state television and news agencies, as well as Telegram channels and social media attributed to the IRGC, are "actively working against reformists and government supporters with the benefit of public financial resources." On Thursday, March 16, Mr. Sadeghi also criticized Hassan Rouhani and Sadeq Larijani, the heads of the executive and judicial branches, for their "silence," "indifference," and "lack of accountability" in the face of "violations of citizens' rights" regarding these arrests. In recent days, Hesameddin Ashna, an advisor to Hassan Rouhani, and several members of the Hope faction in Parliament reacted to the recent arrests, linking them to the 2017 presidential election. Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Aref, the head of the Hope faction, noted in a statement ahead of the new year that "unfortunately, some recent actions against media activists are leading the country towards a security-oriented path that is in no way compatible with national interests." He added: "Especially as we approach Nowruz, it is expected that even those who are imprisoned should at least be allowed to be with their families through certain arrangements." On Friday, Elias Hazrati, Abdul Karim Hosseinzadeh, Bahram Parsayi, and Mohammad Ali Vakili, four MPs, described the recent arrests as "suspicious" in a joint letter to Hassan Rouhani, especially considering they occurred "on the eve of the new year and the closure of the Parliament and Nowruz travels." Ali Motahari, the deputy speaker of Parliament, previously warned the Minister of Intelligence on Wednesday, March 15, regarding the arrests of Telegram channel managers and the re-imprisonment of Ehsan Mazandarani, the former editor-in-chief of Farhikhtegan newspaper, threatening to hold him accountable. The news website Zeyton also reported on Saturday that Ramin Karimian, a researcher and translator, was arrested at his home. Mr. Karimian has translated several books in the field of social sciences and is a collaborator with the Goftogu magazine, whose editor-in-chief, Morad Saghafi, has also been arrested. In recent months, several journalists have been arrested. Tahereh Riahi, the social affairs editor of the Borna news agency, which is affiliated with the government, was also arrested on December 27 by "agents of the Ministry of Intelligence" and, according to reports, remains imprisoned. Meanwhile, several websites reported on January 24 that Zeinab Karimian, a former journalist for the IRNA and Mehr news agencies and a collaborator on a television program, and Saleh Deldam, a young film producer and director, have also been arrested. In this context, criticism of the silence of Hassan Rouhani and Sadeq Larijani regarding the recent arrests continues.