Summoning of Over 1285 Virtual Activists and Arrest of 58 Protesters During Government Elections

Following the arrest of social media activists and ordinary citizens critical of the Islamic Republic and the government elections to replace Ebrahim Raisi, the Deputy Chief Justice reported a new wave of pressure and the summoning of 1285 virtual activists, and the arrest of 58 citizens on Friday, July 8, due to "disruption" in the "elections." According to the state news agency Tasnim, Asghar Jahangir, spokesperson and "Deputy for Social Affairs and Crime Prevention of the Judiciary," claimed in a meeting on July 11 of the "Supreme Council of the Judiciary" that 58 citizens were arrested "for reasons such as causing disruption at polling stations or clashes among supporters." Based on media reports from the previous week, it is likely that the number of detainees exceeds the figure claimed by this judiciary official. He also claimed that most of the detainees were "released by the end of the same day." However, Iranian media on July 9 only reported the arrest of 8 individuals in connection with the elections, citing the Chief Justice of Kerman. The website Hrana also reported, citing the governor of Astara, the arrest of several citizens in that county following the burning of Ebrahim Raisi's banners. In another part of this meeting, the Deputy of the Judiciary claimed that on the day of the government elections, "about 685 virtual activists" allegedly engaged in illegal activities were "justified" both in person and by phone, adding that "six individuals were summoned due to repeated criminal behavior." The terms "justification" and "summoning" in the context of the judiciary's interrogation imply threats, intimidation, obtaining guarantees, or forming legal cases. Jahangir further claimed that in the days leading up to the government elections, "six hundred" citizens were similarly "justified." Previously, reports indicated that Iranian rapper Vahid Namati was arrested for creating a piece of music about the daughter of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and his Instagram page was blocked. The news of his arrest was denied hours later. The Hrana website, the news organ of human rights activists in Iran, reported that this Instagram blogger reacted to daily events with humorous productions. Published reports indicate that the Islamic Republic's crackdown on social activists and journalists has intensified in recent days. Accordingly, Atefeh Rangriz, a women's rights activist residing in Damghan, was also arrested again a few days ago. Additionally, Nasrin Hosseini, a journalist who had been granted leave, was arrested on Friday, July 8, before the end of her leave and transferred to Bojnourd prison. Alongside these arrests, the Ministry of Interior imposed restrictions on the activities of critical journalists. Reports have also emerged indicating that the Ministry of Interior opposed the presence of journalists from newspapers affiliated with the "reformist" faction of the government at the election headquarters on voting day. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior informed some media outlets, including the newspapers Shargh and Ham-Mihan, that the inquiries regarding their journalists were negative and that they needed to introduce new journalists. The head of Tehran's Cyber Police also reported on July 2 the identification and summoning of 4 individuals regarding the publication of online polls, which he claimed were "false and fabricated." Davood Moazemi Goudarzi stated that the Cyber Police monitoring teams had begun their activities in cyberspace long ago and would deal with any violations observed in this area. According to the head of the Cyber Police, issues such as the dissemination of false information or "any form of insult, humiliation, and character assassination, fake polls, and calls for boycotting the elections" are among the matters they will address. The head of Tehran's Cyber Police also declared the publication of materials against candidates as a crime. Moazemi reported the arrest of some Telegram channel operators and emphasized that several of these individuals were identified for publishing "offensive polls" that used "inappropriate titles" for some candidates or designed the poll options in a way that directed people towards "non-participation in the elections and, in effect, discouraged people from the results." The early holding of this round of elections for the title of "presidency" in the Islamic Republic was accompanied by many sensitivities, including the death of Ebrahim Raisi, widespread election boycotts by opponents of the Islamic Republic, low public participation in the previous parliamentary elections, and public indifference towards the holding of elections. The difference between whether people vote or not in the government process of determining Ebrahim Raisi's successor, from the perspective of Arash Azizishiva Mahbubi: Candidates claim to seek change, but death sentences are issued for protesters. The Islamic Republic awaits another Friday; opponents say not voting is the most effective "civil resistance."