The Controversy Surrounding a 'Confidential' Letter; How Can People Believe the Story of Armita When You Lie?

Following the Tehran Prosecutor's indictment against the newspaper 'Etemad' for publishing a letter from the Minister of Interior that indicated a direct order to intensify enforcement of mandatory hijab, critical media outlets have now targeted the Ministry of Interior. However, the Minister of Interior, undeterred by these reactions, stated that adherence to hijab in public places such as the metro is essential, and officials must pursue ongoing plans. These remarks from the Minister of Interior in Ebrahim Raisi's government were interpreted by many as meaning 'hijab enforcers are not going anywhere.' Yesterday, after the prosecutor announced charges against 'Etemad,' the online version of the newspaper and the letter's image were removed from all domestic websites. Today, however, the newspaper 'Tose'e Irani' took a different approach and republished the letter, stating: 'When responsible institutions evade accountability for what they have created through deflection, how can we expect society to accept the official narrative regarding a case like Armita Garavand? Even if that narrative is the truth!' The newspaper 'Etemad' also wrote that if there are allowances for tricks and deception abroad, domestically, they should serve the people. The newspaper 'Ham-Mihan' criticized the Ministry of Interior, stating that more than two years into the thirteenth government, it seems a trend has emerged in the Ministry that contradicts its foundational philosophy and historical function. This newspaper reviewed the Ministry of Interior's record over the past two years, stating that 'unfortunately, what has been observed so far goes beyond mere inaction; it is an activity against establishing internal security.' Ali Mojtahedzadeh, a lawyer, also noted that examining the laws regarding the classification of government documents shows that the Ministry's actions are legally flawed. In other words, this letter cannot and should not be classified as confidential. The publication of this letter is significant because the Minister of Interior criticized the presence of hijab enforcers in the city and metro stations, saying, 'We did not grant special permission for this. In fact, under the pretext of enjoining good and forbidding wrong, apparently, grassroots groups are acting, and their work is within this framework.' Meanwhile, part of the published document states that owners and managers of recreational centers, malls, and large commercial centers are required to employ 'suitably qualified individuals' to prevent the entry of 'uncovered and norm-breaking individuals.' It is also mandated that pictures of 'norm-breakers' inside the center be taken with installed cameras, and if there are no cameras, agents must take photographs. Another section of this document states: 'The Fara Ja Intelligence Organization, the IRGC Intelligence Organization, and the Ministry of Intelligence must take extensive measures to photograph and document the identification of those committing acts of uncovering and nudity and send the results immediately to Fara Ja or judicial authorities.' Despite these contradictions and the publication of the letter by 'Etemad,' Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior in Raisi's government, has stated that adherence to hijab in offices and public places such as the metro is essential, and officials are obliged to pursue necessary measures and ongoing plans for hijab compliance in these locations.