The U.S. Expresses Concern Over Violence by Supporters of the Islamic Republic Against Protesters Abroad

Abram Pili, the U.S. Deputy Representative for Iran, expressed concern over violent encounters between supporters of the Islamic Republic and Iranian protesters abroad. On Wednesday, June 9, he wrote on the social media platform 'X' that he is 'worried to see reports of threats and attacks by supporters of the Iranian regime against peaceful protesters around the world.' He added, 'The freedom of peaceful assembly and expression is a fundamental human right, and efforts to silence these voices are unacceptable.' In recent days, following the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and his companions in a helicopter crash, various reports have emerged about attacks by supporters of the Islamic Republic on gatherings of Iranian opponents abroad or threats against them. Iranians abroad protested by holding memorial ceremonies for Ebrahim Raisi, referred to as the 'Butcher of Tehran,' who was a member of the infamous 'Death Committee' that ordered the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. Regarding the attacks by supporters of the Islamic Republic on protesters, one can refer to the attack on June 4 against a group of protesters who held a demonstration in London at the same time as a memorial ceremony for Ebrahim Raisi. According to the Metropolitan Police, four people were injured in this clash, and one person was arrested on suspicion of causing a disturbance and violence. Images from the clashes showed a man attacking a woman who was on the ground. Many on social media commented that if they behave this way towards women abroad, one can only imagine how they treat women inside Iran. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied violent treatment of women, including Mahsa Amini or Armita Geravand, a claim that opponents label as a lie. In the U.S., Siamak Aram, the director of the 'National Solidarity Group of Iran,' released a video on his Instagram page on June 5, in which 'affiliates of the Islamic Republic' threatened him and other protesters opposing the ceremony for Ebrahim Raisi with death. This protest was held next to the Islamic Education Center in Potomac, Maryland. On June 8, Mr. Aram announced that he, along with his lawyer, had gone to court in Maryland and filed a complaint against Ramadan Sultan-Mohammadi, an employee of the Islamic Republic's interests office in Washington, D.C. According to the director of the 'National Solidarity Group of Iran,' the Maryland court judge ordered that until the final resolution of this case, Ramadan Sultan-Mohammadi has no right to contact, threaten, or approach his residence and workplace, and any violation of the court's order will result in criminal prosecution for violating the judge's temporary order. In response to the attack by supporters of the Islamic Republic on a group of Iranian protesters in London, Prince Reza Pahlavi stated on the social media platform 'X' that patriots in Iran and around the world will never be intimidated in their struggle for freedom and human rights.