Agents Of Foreign Spy Organisations: Nine Foreign Nationals Detained In Iran

Nine foreign nationals have been arrested in Iran during protests sparked after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the custody of the morality police.

Iran’s ministry of intelligence said the nine foreign nationals were arrested in a round-up of “agitators” who are allegedly linked to the demonstrations.

Nine Foreign Nationals Detained In Iran

The foreign nationals detained included nationals from Germany, Poland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden. According to local media, the intelligence officers detained people deemed to be "agents of foreign spy organisations".

Iranian authorities also arrested journalist Niloofar Hamedi, the journalist who first reported Amini's death, along with 28 other journalists.

Crackdowns against protests have intensified and Iranian authorities have been arresting protestors along with journalists, activists, and celebrities who voiced their support for the women's movement.

Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour was arrested after he wrote a ballad in response to Amini's death. The song For was composed of anti-government tweets posted by Iranians after news of Amini's passing broke.

Former Iranian international football player Hossein Manahi was arrested after he voiced his support for the protests on social media.

Iran Protests

Mahsa Amini was detained by the morality police for not wearing her hijab in the “proper” way and died in custody. Reportedly, she fell into a coma after being arrested and thrashed by the police while she was detained.

Protests broke out across Iran and women cut their hair and burnt their hijabs in the streets. Thousands of Iranian women staged protests and authorities began suppressing demonstrators. Police officers fired tear gas shells and used live ammunition against the protestors. According to human rights organisation Iran Human Rights, at least 83 people were killed during the protests.

Despite violent crackdowns against the protests and internet restrictions, the protests persisted. Social media access was blocked and mobile networks were shut down.

Yesterday, a woman was arrested for eating at a restaurant in public without her hijab. The woman Donya Rad and another woman were having breakfast at a cafe and a photograph of them went viral on social media.

Netizens applauded the women for their act of civil disobedience, and two days after the image was published, Rad was arrested.

Suggested Reading: Iran Security Forces Arrest Woman For Eating At Restaurant Without Hijab