The Iranian regime knows that another nationwide uprising is on the horizon and it is trying everything that it can control society. Another uprising or series of major protests would push the regime even closer to collapse.
Over the past few months, the regime has been clamping down hard on protesters and political prisoners, especially those who are supporters of the (PMOI / MEK Iran). The execution of wrestling champion Navid Afkari was a surprise given the huge international campaign calling for his life to be spared. The regime undoubtedly thought that giving in to these calls would be considered a weakness.
#NavidAfkari said in one of his last messages that he is fighting against the most ruthless adversary in human history.And there is no doubt that it will be toppled as a result of the struggle &uprisings of the courageous youths and the great Army of Freedom #StopExecutionsinIran pic.twitter.com/ilmMuXxnue
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) September 19, 2020
At the beginning of the month, the Security Deputy of the Armed Forces Chief of Staff told state media that “thugs” are causing issues in towns and cities across the country and that they will be dealt with.
On this same subject, commander of the Veterans Unit of Holly Defense, Mohammad Motahari, said that in the province of Kerman dozens of security battalions have been set up to ensure safety and security in cities.
On top of these measures, the regime has resorted to other ways to suppress the people. Security institutions frequently recruit thugs and gangs to carry out certain activities in the streets and they are used to create fear in society.
#MaryamRajavi This regime must be expelled from UN and its leaders brought to justice for their continuing crimes against humanity and the violations of human dignity. The international community must not allow this regime to bring medieval edicts to the 21st-century #MEK #Iran pic.twitter.com/Gawe6BbAR0
— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) October 9, 2020
The regime also refers to protesters as thugs and rioters, in particular members of the MEK Resistance Units – the internal network of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran). The regime’s real thugs have also attacked protesters and members of the MEK Resistance Units.
#MEK Resistance Units have not let up their actions. #Iran today is a powder keg ready to explode. It’s not a question of “if” but “when.” Recently, resistance supporters have been busy displaying signs showing their support #MaryamRajavi Massoud Rajavi with posters, banners. pic.twitter.com/wmYFkAttbm
— MEK Iran (Mujahedin-e Khalq) (@MEK_Iran) October 11, 2020
This practice is not new – it has happened as far back as the 1979 Revolution.
A senior general of the notorious Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said years ago that the regime employed street gangs to quell protests following the uprising after the 2009 elections. Hossein Hamedani said that an “intelligence operation” took place in the capital city, explaining that the thugs they recruited came out when there were calls by protesters for rallies.
Hossein Hamedani is one of the commanders killed in Syria, who explicitly have admited that he had invited armed and criminal people during the Iranian people's peaceful protests in 2009 for killing of Iranian people in Tehran. #TwitterBan4IRGC pic.twitter.com/bsLi4ZsSwz
— شهروندیار (@shahrvandyar) April 18, 2019
It could also be said that these thugs are used by the regime to carry out its dirty work. For example, there have been political prisoners that have been severely beaten and even murdered by such thugs during their incarceration.
The regime cannot directly suppress the people of Iran in the streets because it is very clear that this would just make the situation even worse. Discontent is high in Iran because of a series of crises that have rocked the country over the past few years including a declining economy, political and social problems, and of course the Coronavirus pandemic.
Iranian Resistance seeks to establish a society devoid of torture or executions, a republic based on freedom, democracy and separation of religion &state which will cherish #HumanRights and gender equality as its highest principles. #Iran #NoDeathPenalty pic.twitter.com/onhKxaIHgZ
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) October 10, 2020
Over 120,800 people have died of the Coronavirus pandemic across Iran, according to the (PMOI / MEK Iran), October 11. The official death count declared by the regime stands at 28,544, around a fourth of the actual figure.
Last year, more than 1,500 protesters were killed during the November protests. The people have made it very clear that they want regime change and it is clear that the regime is not going to be able to change their minds, therefore it needs to silence them.
#MEK: At Least 1500 #Protesters Killed in #Iran https://t.co/x8AOUd6lrq#FreeAllProtesters #StopIranBloodshed
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 16, 2019
Reuters confirmed in a special report on December 23, 2019, about the deadly crackdown on November nationwide protests in Iran the death toll of 1500 that was announced by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran) on December 15, 2019.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said earlier: “The world community’s silence and inaction have emboldened the religious fascism ruling Iran to continue and intensify its anti-human crimes against the Iranian people. The time has come to end impunity for those responsible for these atrocities.
However, the people refuse to be silenced. They refuse to let the criminal regime walk all over them.
MEK Iran (follow them on Twitter and Facebook)
and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube
