Announcements
Statement by a Group of Activists from Kermanshah Condemning Recent Arrests and Security Scenarios in Gilan-e Gharb
09:13 - 26/8/2024
In recent days, we have witnessed the arrest of several civil and environmental activists in Gilan-e Gharb. These individuals are dedicated members and leading figures of the "Save Zagros" campaign. Despite the passage of several days since these arrests, the families and relatives of these individuals remain unaware of their physical condition and fate. Repeated inquiries with security authorities have so far yielded no results.
We, a group of civil and political activists from Kermanshah, with this statement, express our deep concern over the long-standing history of fabricated cases and false security scenarios against civil and political activists. We strongly warn against any case-fabrication and attempts to create division and discord in the region.
In a new scenario designed by the "Kermanshah Intelligence Organization of the IRGC" and announced through a statement by the "Prosecutor's Office of Kermanshah Province," baseless and unfounded accusations have been leveled against civil and political activists, including those residing abroad and their families. Charges such as insulting the people, extortion, deliberate arson, and linking them to fake and offensive social media accounts are mere pretexts for widespread suppression of civil society and character assassination of these activists. The aim of these baseless scenarios is not only to discredit these honorable activists but also to legitimize arbitrary arrests and actions against them, which may be accompanied by forced confessions—a practice with a known history by the IRGC's intelligence agency.
Moreover, considering the tribal and clan-based structure of the region, the IRGC's intelligence organization seeks to use these security scenarios to create division, discord, and conflict among the people, preventing their solidarity and unity. It is crucial that people remain aware of this scenario.
Experience has shown that the Islamic Republic of Iran's government, relying on its security apparatus, consistently opposes grassroots organizations and popular associations that work to protect natural resources and collective dignity. By using repetitive and discredited scenarios, the government engages in widespread arrests and creates fear and intimidation in society to prevent any form of convergence and synergy among activists and the community.
It is noteworthy that this new wave of arrests in Gilan-e Gharb follows a grand Nowruz ceremony attended by more than 30,000 people in the region—a ceremony that clearly raised the sensitivities of security officials, who had previously warned of harsh measures against the organizers. These repressive actions are taking place even though the arrested activists played a crucial role in defending the celebration of Nowruz in Gilan-e Gharb and in controlling recent forest fires in the Zagros by collecting financial aid.
By issuing this statement, we call on all human rights organizations, civil society, and public opinion to pay special attention to this matter and to defend the fundamental rights and civil liberties of the arrested activists.
We also emphasize our resilience and determination in the face of any efforts by the authorities and mercenary elements in the region to create division and carry out systematic repression.
In conclusion, we believe that the only way out of the current crises is through constructive dialogue, respect for civil rights and fundamental freedoms, and the avoidance of violence and repression. We hope that through solidarity and public unity, we can move towards a free, just, and democratic society.
**Signatories:**
1. Tahereh Khorrami
2. Shahla Kakaei
3. Atousa Moradi
4. Anisa Jafari
5. Farahnaz Fathi
6. Parvaneh Dehlaqi
7. Eqbal Safari
8. Ali Ashraf Moradi
9. Vahid Kamali
10. Dr. Awat Sarooj
11. Dr. Baban Elyasi
12. Shorash Shahbaz
13. Kaveh Khosravi
14. Chia Bouri
15. Alan Hamidi
16. Sohrab Karimi
17. Seyed Mehrdad Mosha’shaei
18. Shahriar Tahmasbi
19. Fazel Valian
20. Zhyar Jahanfard
21. Sasan Adeli
22. Keyumars Fathi
23. Sa’dollah Jahangiri
24. Farshad Gardakaneh
25. Fereydoun Karimi
26. Rebin Rahimi
27. Samrand Sarzali Elyasi
28. Dr. Seyed Morad Babahydari
29. Sohbat Omidi
30. Farhad Azizi
31. Sasan Mehrabi
32. Danesh Shahbaz
33. Meqdad Omidi
34. Kaki Rostam Almasi
35. Diako Shafiei
36. Mohammad Reza Eskandari
37. Jamshid Khosravi
38. Kaki Ali Youssefshahi
39. Pejman Shariati
40. Mohammad Tofiq Asadi
41. Kiarash Shahsavari
42. Hejar Kermashani
43. Manshet Heidari
44. Leila Delpasand
09:30 - 26/8/2024 Updated.
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