Tehran Security Police Prevented the National Front's Central Council Meeting

The public relations office of the National Front of Iran reports that the 'security police' prevented members of its Central Council from entering the home of Adib Boroumand to hold a meeting on Friday, December 27. According to the National Front's website, based on a decision by the leadership and executive committee, the members intended to hold a Central Council meeting at Boroumand's residence at 5 PM on Friday. The report states that the security police did not allow 'any' members of this group to enter Boroumand's home, thus preventing the Central Council meeting from taking place. Hossein Mousavian, head of the executive committee of the National Front of Iran, stated in an interview with Radio Farda on August 25 that the Ministry of Intelligence summoned him and informed him that this political organization is considered 'illegal' and is not permitted to operate. According to Mousavian, the Ministry of Intelligence also announced that holding a meeting, even in the private homes of members of this organization, would lead to the formation of a case and its referral to the Revolutionary Court. He had previously reported that 'agents of the Ministry of Intelligence' threatened on May 5, one day before the Central Council meeting at a member's home, repeating claims of 'apostasy and illegality' against this political group, warning that if the meeting were held, all members of the Central Council would be 'arrested.' Following the National Front's protest against the implementation of the Qisas law in 1981, Ayatollah Khomeini, the then-leader of the Islamic Republic, declared this group 'apostate.' Since Khomeini's statements, the National Front of Iran has faced significant restrictions on its political activities. The Ministry of Intelligence under Hassan Rouhani's government had previously prevented meetings of some political and cultural groups critical of the Iranian government, including the Iranian Writers' Association. The Kaleme website, close to Mir Hossein Mousavi, reported on September 26, 2014, on the 'role' of the Ministry of Intelligence in 'summoning and threatening civil activists.' Ali Younesi, the Minister of Intelligence under Mohammad Khatami's government, had previously stated that the Ministry of Intelligence had not yet been 'captured' by Hassan Rouhani's government. Younesi said on October 6, 2014, that by 'captured,' he meant that the government had not fully 'taken control' of the Ministry of Intelligence.