Norway-based rights group says Iran has detained thousands since February, citing charges from espionage to using Starlink terminals amid internet blackouts.
PARIS: Iranian authorities have arrested more than 3,600 people on charges related to the US-Israeli war, a rights NGO reported.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) said the charges range from sharing videos with overseas media to possessing Starlink internet terminals.
The group stated the figure, based on state media and its own research, is a minimum due to severe internet restrictions. It believes the actual number of arrests is “likely much higher”.
At least 3,646 people have been arrested since the war began on February 28. This includes at least 767 cases reported after a ceasefire started on April 8.
“The charges levelled against the detainees predominantly include espionage, communicating with foreign intelligence services, transmitting images or coordinates of sensitive locations to foreign-based media, and attempting to establish operational cells or conduct armed activities,” IHR said.
Arrests have also been made for using Starlink terminals to bypass internet blackouts and for alleged cooperation with pro-monarchist groups.
More than 100 civil society activists are among those detained. This includes prize-winning rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, who was arrested on April 2.
Sotoudeh’s daughter said her mother called from detention for the first time on Saturday. She reported Sotoudeh is held by the intelligence ministry but cannot disclose her location.
Fellow activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi remains imprisoned after her arrest last December. Her detention preceded the war and mass protests in January.
Mohammadi turned 54 in her prison cell in Zanjan on Tuesday. Her foundation warned last week that her health is “critical” following a heart attack in March.
