ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran has arrested 900 people on charges of espionage and propaganda across the country since June 13, when its 12-day war with Israel began, a human rights monitor stated on Saturday. A large number of arrests were in Kurdish-majority provinces.
“Widespread arrests continue across Iran despite the ceasefire declared ten days ago between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel. Since the onset of the war, at least 900 individuals have been detained. Hengaw has so far confirmed the identities of 155 of those arrested,” stated the Oslo-based Hengaw Human Rights Organization.
Most of those arrested are facing charges of “espionage for Israel,” “propaganda against the state,” or “disturbing public opinion,” it said.
Kurdish-majority provinces in the west of the country saw some of the highest numbers of arrests - 127 in Kermanshah, 91 in West Azerbaijan, and 18 in Kurdistan.
Those arrested include women, minors, and eight Europeans and two Afghans.
The arrests have continued after a ceasefire came into effect on June 24. The Paris-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network, which has confirmed the arrests of 250 individuals, warned on Tuesday that “security forces in Iranian Kurdistan continue to impose a harsh crackdown on Kurdish civilians and activists.”
The Center for Human Rights in Iran said nearly 1,500 people have been arrested and are being put through “sham trials.”
Iran’s judiciary has approved a fast-tracked bill imposing 15 to 25 years in prison and permanent bans from public service for sending images or videos to foreign media during wartime or security-related events, according to Hengaw.
The head of Iran’s judiciary on June 21 said that suspects accused of collaborating with Israel will face expedited trials and be given no leniency. At least six people have been executed, according to Amnesty International.
Iran has released several confessions of people accused of cooperating with Israel. Such confessions are widely believed to be coerced, often obtained through threats, psychological pressure, and, in some cases, physical torture.