Fear of new protests intensifies repression in Iran

In recent months, Iranian authorities have increased pressure on journalists, artists, activists and citizens, while at the same time increasing the number of executions and closing down spaces that were considered rare places of social freedom, writes the French newspaper Le Monde, pointing out that since the start of the war with the United States and Israel on February 28, repression of civil society has become even more pronounced.

One of the most striking examples is the case of the famous Iranian photojournalist Jalda Moajeri, who announced on Sunday, August 9, that she had been sentenced to 15 years in prison by a first-instance verdict.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the confiscation of her cameras and mobile phone, and banned her from engaging in cultural and artistic work, holding public office, and using social media. According to the verdict, Moajeri was found guilty of “collaborating with foreign media with the aim of strengthening the Zionist regime and the United States” during the war period.

The photojournalist told Le Monde that she was not allowed to review the court file and therefore could not find out what evidence she was convicted on. “When the court officials leafed through the documents in front of me, I saw that the file contained my photos and interviews that I had given to foreign media,” she said. The French newspaper reports that the trial was held in Tehran in June and without her presence. As she explained, the authorities tried to call her by phone, even though her SIM card had previously been blocked, a method that the Iranian authorities have increasingly used against critics of the regime in recent years.

"That's why I didn't even know the hearing was scheduled," Moajeri said.

The French newspaper recalls that it was he who published some of the photos she took during the mass protests in January, as well as photos from the funeral of one of the slain protesters. The photos were first published anonymously, and later under her name, at her request. Shortly after, members of the Iranian intelligence services raided her home in Tehran and confiscated her computer, phone and other electronic equipment.

Moajeri has been a target of the authorities before. During the protests of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in 2022, she was arrested and spent several months in detention.

She intends to appeal the verdict, but does not believe she will succeed in overturning it.

"We have to ask for a new trial because the previous one was held without my presence. However, I doubt that the verdict will be overturned. I think they will end up sending me to prison for three or four years," she said.

According to Le Monde, this case is just one indicator of a broader wave of repression that has been spreading across Iran in recent months.

The United Nations, human rights organizations, and international experts have repeatedly warned of the rise in the number of death sentences, especially those imposed on protesters and political prisoners.

In late July, Amnesty International published a report stating that at least 26 people have been executed since the beginning of the year for alleged links to the protests held in January. The organization claims that at least 26 more people have been sentenced to death on politically motivated charges.

At the same time, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights organization said that at least 444 prisoners had been executed in Iran between the beginning of the year and the end of July. The organization said it had information about more than 400 executions, but that these cases could not yet be confirmed.

In recent weeks, authorities have closed dozens of cafes and restaurants in central Tehran, especially in the Sanaji district, which is very popular with young people.

The organization's director, Mahmoud Amiri-Moghadam, warned that the conflict with the US and Israel could serve as justification for a further increase in the number of executions related to alleged threats to national security.

Le Monde particularly highlights the case of Abolfazl Sepahi Badjani and Amirhosein Safari, two men who were publicly executed in Isfahan at the end of July.

Footage posted on social media shows citizens protesting the execution, and some footage shows shots allegedly fired by security forces. It is not yet known whether there were any casualties or new arrests in the incident.

According to the French newspaper, the repression is not limited to journalists and political activists. Almost a hundred celebrities from the world of culture and film have been summoned for questioning after publicly criticizing the new wave of executions.

Meanwhile, negotiations between Iran and the US to end the conflict are at a standstill, while the economic situation in the country is further deteriorating.

A former journalist from Tehran told Le Monde that authorities fear a new wave of protests.

"The authorities are obviously afraid of new demonstrations," said the newspaper's interlocutor, adding that he himself expects a call from the security services, although he does not know why.

In the past few weeks, authorities have closed dozens of cafes and restaurants in central Tehran, especially in the Sanaji district, which is very popular with young people.

The official explanation was that the owners were not respecting regulations regarding the mandatory wearing of the hijab. Although the law remains in force, Le Monde recalls that patrols by the so-called morality police have largely disappeared from the streets in recent months, indicating a somewhat more lenient approach by the authorities.

However, the new closure of the premises shows that the authorities do not intend to completely give up control over citizens' daily lives.

Some catering establishments have been allowed to continue operating, but only after their owners signed an obligation that female employees will wear a veil and that they will not allow guests to gather on sidewalks and streets.

According to a French newspaper, the seating area in front of some cafes, which was a favorite gathering place for young people, was destroyed overnight by unknown persons.

A similar situation has been reported outside the capital. In early August, police closed four women-only sports centers in the central city of Yazd, without giving a reason for the decision.

The French newspaper concludes that all these events indicate that the Iranian authorities, faced with international pressure, an economic crisis and fear of new protests, are seeking to further strengthen control over society.