In the past month, Iran has detained approximately 900 individuals on suspicions of intelligence activities and circulating harmful propaganda. These arrests predominantly started on June 13, coinciding with the initiation of a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. A considerable portion of these arrests have happened in provinces with a majority Kurdish population.
Even after the formal cessation of hostilities between Iran and Israel, Iran’s law enforcement agencies have maintained a high rate of arrests. Among those taken into custody, an overwhelming majority have been accused of espionage that favours Israel, catalysing anti-government sentiment, or fostering unrest among the public.
Geographically, these arrests have the most significant concentration in the western provinces of Iran that contain a majority of Kurdish inhabitants. The number of detentions in these areas has been notably high. In Kermanshah, law enforcement detained 127 individuals; in West Azerbaijan, the tally is 91, while in Kurdistan, this figure is 18.
The profile of detainees is diverse, including women, minors, and foreign nationals comprising of eight Europeans and two Afghans. This breadth in demographics has been observed even after the enforcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 24.
This sequence of events has resulted in severe hardship and surveillance for Kurdish civilians and activists in Iranian Kurdistan, where the security forces are maintaining an intense authoritative presence. By contrast, the conflict and subsequent turbulence have yielded 1,500 arrests. Disturbingly, these detainees are believed to be put through quick, questionable legal proceedings, widely labelled as mock trials.
Laying the legal groundwork for this, the Iranian judiciary has responded swiftly, approving a bill that allows for the enactment of prison sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years. This penalty also comes with a lifetime ban from public service
The new law squarely targets individuals who share images or videos related to war or security incidents with foreign media. This rushed legislation’s approval has triggered concerns about individual’s freedoms and the potential for misuse.
On June 21, the leader of Iran’s judiciary system indicated that anyone accused of forming alliances with Israel will be tried swiftly under an accelerated process. No mercy or consideration will be shown towards them during trial proceedings.
As a sobering demonstration of the judiciary’s stern stance, at least six individuals have been executed. These executed persons were reportedly found guilty of treason after the aforementioned swift trials.
In a further development, Iran has broadcast numerous confession footage of those accused of collaborating with Israel. However, critics believe these confessions are far from voluntary. Instead, they argue these confessions might be the result of coercion techniques, ranging from threats and psychological manipulation to, in extreme cases, physical torture.
This wave of arrests and the corresponding judicial activity have increased the climate of fear and narrowed the room for expression in Iran. It remains uncertain how events will further unfold as allegations and consequences continue to grow.
One of the pre-existing tensions that this recent development has thrown into sharp relief is the ongoing tension between Iran and Israel. Given their historical enmities, these allegations of espionage have contributed to straining relationships further.
Another point of tension has been the socio-political dynamics within Iran itself, particularly in the western Kurdish-majority provinces. These areas have seen a heightened activity of law enforcement agencies, which might indicate a strained relationship between the central government and the Kurdish community.
Above all, human rights concerns loom large over these developments. The high number of arrests, accusations of sham trials and coerced confessions, and reported executions have escalated concerns among international human rights bodies and observers. They underline the urgent need for international scrutiny and intervention, giving Iran’s evolving security situation an alarming global relevance.