{"id":2974,"date":"2021-03-31T17:13:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T17:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/en\/?p=2974"},"modified":"2025-05-11T08:05:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T08:05:50","slug":"fatawatch-october-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/2021\/03\/31\/fatawatch-october-december-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"FATAwatch: October – December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

The final quarter of 2020 proved to be a busy period for Iran\u2019s Cyber Police (or FATA). Between the months of October to December 2020 FATA continued to make a number of arrests. Many of these related to political and security charges, although an increasing number of charges related to the creation and dissemination of \u201cfake news\u201d, with such charges being increasingly deployed to limit freedom of expression online and to silence activists and minority groups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Online betting and gambling also continued to be a target of FATA enforcement actions during this quarter. Some charges alleged that these websites were responsible for enabling fraud, whereas a number of arrests were also made for the promotion of gambling and betting sites on social media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instagram, which remains accessible inside Iran, continued to be a major target for FATA. FATA continued to engage in cultural policing of the space, taking action against users who shared content deemed \u201cinappropriate\u201d, \u201cimmoral\u201d, or which \u201cpromotes western lifestyles\u201d. Such policing practices disproportionately target women, with charges\u00a0 often linked to female influencers wearing or promoting clothing deemed inappropriate by state authorities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A number of heavy sentences were also handed down in a number of high-profile cases, the most significant being the execution of Ruhollah Zam, the noted dissident, journalist, and founder of the anti-government Telegram channel Amad News. Zam was executed in December following the loss of his appeal. The Instagram influencer known as \u201cSahar Tabar\u201d \u2013 who gained popularity online for posting heavily altered photos of herself \u2013 was also sentenced to ten years in prison for her online activities, including for \u201cblasphemy\u201d and \u201cpromoting corruption\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Domestic platforms were not immune from scrutiny and prosecution; Mohammad Javad Shekuri Moghadam, the CEO and Founder of the popular Iranian video streaming platform Aparat was sentenced to at least ten years imprisonment in relation to an \u201cinappropriate\u201d video posted onto the platform the year before by the channel \u2018Gelofen TV\u2019. It was reported that a number of individuals associated with the \u2018Gelofen TV\u2019 channel were also sentenced to terms of eleven years. The decision has major implications for intermediary liability in Iran, and showcases authorities\u2019 willingness to take action against domestic platforms that host content deemed illegal. As a consequence, we may see platforms such as Aparat engaging in more restrictive content moderation and censorship practices going forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this report, we focus on how Iran\u2019s police forces and judiciary restricted and violated the fundamental rights of Iranians in online spaces between October and December 2020, as well as documenting other major incidents making national and global headlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Security and Political Charges\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On <\/span>1 October<\/span><\/a> the administrators for five Telegram channels operating in the city of Saqqez were summoned to court following complaints from Chia Salehi Babamiri, the now-former governor for Saqqez, who was <\/span>removed<\/span><\/a> from his post by the local council due to his poor performance. According to the International Federation of Journalists, the administrators for \u201cSaqqez Rudaw\u201d, \u201cVakavi\u201d, \u201cSaka Press\u201d and \u201cPorseman\u201d were summoned on charges of \u201cpublishing fake news\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to a report by HRANA on <\/span>3 October<\/span><\/a>, Khadije Mehdipour was arrested by security forces in the city of Ilam and transferred to the city\u2019s female prison \u201cwithout providing a judicial order\u201d. The report also said that, according to a source, Mehdipour was arrested for her \u201conline activities and supporting the labour movement [in Iran], and spreading propaganda against the regime\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>7 October<\/span><\/a> HRANA reported that Peyman Farhangian, a poet and labour activist in the city of Kiashahr was sentenced to 38 years imprisonment. Among his charges were \u201corganisation of protests inside the country using the Signal messaging app\u201d in order to \u201cdisrupt the peace\u201d inside the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>14 October<\/span><\/a> FATA Police in Ardabil reported the arrest of two individuals for publishing \u201cfake news\u201d in relation to the country\u2019s judicial authorities on Telegram, who were referred to the judiciary for legal proceedings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>19 October<\/span><\/a> security forces entered and searched the home of Nafiseh Melekiju. Following the confiscation of her personal items, she was summoned to court. According to the security forces this was due to online comments made by Melekiju. According to Melekiju\u2019s lawyer, she was not presented with a warrant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to \u201c<\/span>Journalism is Not a Crime<\/span><\/a>\u201d a number of sources have reported that three LGBTQI activists were <\/span>arrested<\/span><\/a> by security forces in October 2020, and later transferred to Evin prison. The activists were reported to have been active on Instagram, and have been named as Meisam Valipour, Meisam Dehghani, and Alireza Asadi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>25 October,<\/span><\/a> Beijan Rezaei was arrested and transferred to a detention centre in the city of Shiraz. According to HRANA, one of the reasons given for his arrest was his \u201conline activities\u201d. These included speaking out against the execution of the Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari. Afkari was the Iranian wrestler executed in September 2020 for allegedly killing a security guard during Iran\u2019s 2017-18 protests<\/span><\/p>\n

HRANA alo reported that on <\/span>28 October<\/span><\/a> Homa Javadi was arrested by security forces in Tehran due to her online activities, specifically in a Telegram channel. She was transferred to Evin prison where her charges of \u201cinsulting the prophet of Islam and being in connection with anti-governemnt groups\u201d were read out. She was subsequently transferred to the female wing of Evin prison after being set a bail appointment for 70,000million IRR (estimated 1,662.51 USD)<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>25 November<\/span><\/a> Colonel Hossein Sadeghi, the Head of FATA for Semnan province announced that an individual had been identified and arrested for publishing \u201cfalse information\u201d online and on Telegram. According to Sadeghi, this consisted of publishing \u201cinsults towards government officials and disturbing public opinion\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>12 December<\/span><\/a> Ruhollah Zam, the administrator of the anti-government Telegram news channel Amad News, was executed. This came around a year after he was first arrested. A judiciary spokesperson announced on 8 December that the execution order for Zam had been upheld by the country\u2019s Supreme Court.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier the thirteen charges held against Zam were held to be the equivalent to \u201cspreading corruption on earth\u201d by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, at the 15th branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On<\/span> 22 December<\/span><\/a> the Police Commander for the city of Ramian reported the arrest of a citizen in the city for \u201cinsulting holy sites\u201d and \u201cthreatening to publish private photos from others\u201d on social media platforms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Promotion of Corruption\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On <\/span>12 October<\/span><\/a> the head of FATA for Mazandaran Province announced that the administrator of an Instagram page with 25,000 followers had been arrested for publishing \u201cinappropriate photos\u201d and promoting \u201ctattoos and satan worship\u201d as well as \u201cdeceiving young [audiences]\u201d. Also in October, FATA <\/span>arrested<\/span><\/a> an individual in West Azerbaijan Province for featuring \u201cyoung female models\u201d wearing \u201cinappropriate clothing\u201d on their Instagram page. According to FATA, the page admin admitted to owning a clothing store and was attempting to attract customers through their page.<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>20 October<\/span><\/a> the Head of FATA announced that an individual had been arrested in Ardabil Province for promoting and selling satellite equipment on various social media platforms, including Instagram and Telegram.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>25 October<\/span><\/a> the founder and CEO of the Iranian video streaming platform Aparat was sentenced to at least ten years in prison, in relation to a video published on the platform at least a year prior. The video reportedly \u201casked children about how they were born\u201d. It has also been reported that a number of individuals involved with the \u2018Gelofen TV\u2019 Aparat channel were sentenced to 11 years in prison for \u201cpromoting corruption\u201d and publishing \u201cvulgar content\u201d. This incident raises serious concerns about the responsibilities and liabilities of domestic platforms hosting user-generated content, and could have major implications for Iranian platforms\u2019 future content moderation and censorship practices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of October FATA also confirmed the <\/span>arrest<\/span><\/a> of the administrator of a number of social media channels used for \u201cmatchmaking\u201d or \u201c[arranging] temporary marriages\u201d in Mazandaran Province.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also in Mazandaran Province on <\/span>9 November<\/span><\/a>, the administrator of an Instagram page with 85,000 followers was arrested for \u201cpromoting western culture\u201d and publishing \u201cvulgar content\u201d which were used to \u201cdeceive\u201d younger audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the same day, Colonel Pashaei, FATA\u2019s Deputy for Social Affairs <\/span>stated<\/span><\/a> that \u201cthose who lead the promotion and encouragement of immoral online challenges have been identified and arrested, and have been referred for judicial proceedings\u201d. He added that \u201cany encouragement, promotion, or creation of [social media] channels, on the subject of participating in immoral, antisocial, and immodest [online] challenges is illegal\u201d and that FATA will ensure that any such actions \u201chave legal consequences\u201d. Online \u201cchallenges\u201d which often begin on social media channels and have gained major popularity in the country, some of which have in the past been a <\/span>cause<\/span><\/a> for concern around their harms to children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>14 November<\/span><\/a> Sameh Khorshad, the Head of FATA for Mazandaran Province confirmed that administrators for 84 social media pages \u201cpromoting and glorifying violence\u201d had been arrested and referred to the province\u2019s intelligence authorities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>28 November<\/span><\/a> the administrator of an unspecified social media channel posting \u201cimmoral\u201d photos and \u201cpromoting corruption\u201d was arrested by FATA in Golestan Province.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>10 December<\/span><\/a> the Head of Security Police for Kermanshah Province, Hossein Heydari reported that a woman was arrested for appearing as a \u201cmodel\u201d in a video clip taken at T<\/span>ekyeh Moaven Al-Molk palace, a historical attraction located in the province. According to Heydari the woman\u2019s address was identified and she was arrested for \u201cantisocial\u201d behaviour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also on <\/span>10 December<\/span><\/a> it was reported that FATA Police had arrested the administrator of a Telegram channel used for \u201cmatchmaking\u201d in Gilan Province.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>11 December <\/span><\/a>the famous Iranian Instagram influencer, Fatemeh Khishvand \u2013 more widely known as \u201cSahar Tabar\u201d \u2013 revealed that she had received a ten year prison sentence. She was arrested the previous year, when she gave a televised confession aired on Iranian state TV. She was charged with \u201cpromoting corruption\u201d, \u201cblasphemy, \u201ctaking part in corruption on earth\u201d, and the \u201cillegal acquisition of income\u201d. She was 18 years old at the time of her arrest. According to her lawyer, she contracted COVID-19 while in prison.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FATA in Kermanshah Province reported the arrest of an Instagram page administrator on <\/span>15 December<\/span><\/a>, for posting \u201cimmodest\u201d content. On <\/span>20 December<\/span><\/a> FATA for Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad also reported the arrest of a number of people in relation to an Instagram page used for \u201cmatchmaking\u201d. The individuals were arrested for posting \u201cimmodest\u201d photos and content and committing \u201cfinancial fraud\u201d. Also in December, in North Khorasan Province, FATA\u00a0 <\/span>arrested<\/span><\/a> the owner of an \u201cantisocial\u201d Instagram page with \u201cover 25,600 followers\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>28 December<\/span><\/a> Sameh Khorshad, the Head of FATA for Mazandaran Province\u00a0 confirmed that the administrators of 209 social media pages which posted \u201cmodelling photos featuring inappropriate clothing\u201d. The following day on <\/span>29 December<\/span><\/a> FATA in East Azerbaijan Province reported that the administrator of an Instagram page was arrested for posting \u201cinappropriate\u201d photos and \u201cpromoting corruption\u201d online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gambling and Betting\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Online gambling and betting continued to be an area of focus for FATA during this quarter. On <\/span>29 November<\/span><\/a> the Head of FATA for Tehran reported that the administrator of a betting website had been arrested in connection with \u201cfinancial crimes\u201d. Also in Tehran on <\/span>8 December<\/span><\/a>, FATA reported the arrest of the administrator of an Instagram page \u201cwith more than 150,000 followers\u201d which promoted betting websites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>19 December<\/span><\/a> FATA in North Khorasan Province arrested two people who were accused of \u201cpromoting\u201d betting websites on social media. A few days later on <\/span>23 December<\/span><\/a> in Mazandaran Province FATA reported the arrest of the administrator of a \u201cpopular\u201d gambling website with a \u201chigh financial turnover\u201d. On the same day in the city of Semnan FATA reportedly <\/span>arrested<\/span><\/a> a brother and sister who committed \u201cfinancial fraud\u201d through betting sites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FATA Police in Ardabil Province reported the <\/span>arrest<\/span><\/a> of the \u201cleader\u201d of a gambling website on 27 December. They were accused of using social media to \u201cpromote\u201d the site.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Incidents\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On <\/span>23 October<\/span><\/a> (warning: report contains graphic imagery) the city of Abadan\u2019s Prosecutor warned that those individuals who filmed and distributed the \u201cAbadani girl\u201d video online would be arrested. The video shows an injured young woman, Bahareh Cheshmberah, being held down by two other women while a security guard places his foot on her torso and attempts to sexually assault her. Following widespread reaction on social media the security guard was arrested. However, following the release of the video Cheshmberah gave a televised \u201cconfession\u201d stating that \u201cforeign media\u201d were spreading \u201crumours\u201d about the incident. She has been charged with \u201cforced entry, battery, and arson\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On <\/span>8 December<\/span><\/a> the student activist Zia Nabavi posted letters sent from Tehran\u2019s Deputy Prosecutor to heads of Tehran\u2019s universities on his Twitter page. The letters asked university leaders to prevent \u201cproblematic activists\u201d and those convicted on \u201csecurity charges\u201d from speaking at a planned Students\u2019 Day event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the same day, Rashid Mozaheri, goalkeeper for the popular Iranian football team Esteghlal was <\/span>suspended <\/span><\/a>from two matches for speaking out in support of Navid Afkari on his Instagram page. Mozaheri reportedly wrote \u201cThere are many of us, you will not have enough rope #DoNotExecute\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The final quarter of 2020 proved to be a busy period for Iran\u2019s Cyber Police (or FATA). Between the months of October to December 2020 FATA continued to make a number of arrests. Many of these related to political and security charges, although an increasing number of charges related to the creation and dissemination ofContinue reading \"FATAwatch: October – December 2020\"<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":2975,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[113],"tags":[80,56],"class_list":["post-2974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cyber-threat-reports","tag-fata","tag-fatawatch","entry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t