UK and international partners announce further sanctions against Iranian officials
|
The UK and international partners have announced coordinated
sanctions on Iranian officials who are leading the violent
repression of protests in Iran. Protests continue across Iran
following the tragic death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, in the
custody of Iran’s so-called Morality Police, who were sanctioned by
the UK on 10 October. The Iranian authorities have responded to the
protests with violence, reportedly killing hundreds and injuring
thousands of others. ...Request free trial
The UK and international partners have announced coordinated sanctions on Iranian officials who are leading the violent repression of protests in Iran. Protests continue across Iran following the tragic death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Iran’s so-called Morality Police, who were sanctioned by the UK on 10 October. The Iranian authorities have responded to the protests with violence, reportedly killing hundreds and injuring thousands of others. The Foreign Secretary has announced the UK will designate Communications Minister Issa Zarepour and a range of local law enforcement and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials who have been involved in and ordered the crackdown on protests. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “These sanctions target officials within the Iranian regime who are responsible for heinous human rights violations. "Together with our partners, we have sent a clear message to the Iranian regime – the violent crackdown on protests must stop and freedom of expression must be respected. “The Iranian people could not be clearer. It’s time for the regime to stop blaming external actors and start listening to the voices of their people." Zarepour and Vahid Mohammad Naser Majid (chief of Iran’s Cyber Police) have been designated for shutting down the internet in Iran, including disabling Whatsapp and Instagram, and banning the use of the Google Play app and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Their actions are part of a wider clampdown on freedom of expression in Iran which has included the arrest and detention of more than 40 journalists and Iranian girls being sent to ‘psychological centres’ for protesting for their right to choose what to wear, according to regime officials. 22 other Iranian political and security officials are designated today in response to the continued brutal violence aimed at protestors, in provinces including:
These sanctions will ensure that the individuals on the list cannot travel to the UK and any of their assets held in the UK will be frozen. The UK has already designated a number of high-ranking security and political figures, as well as the Morality Police, for their roles in protests in Iran. The Foreign Secretary also summoned the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires last week to make clear that the UK does not tolerate threats from foreign nations against individuals here. --ENDS-- NOTES TO EDITORS: - The European Union have confirmed they are implementing new sanctions on Iran today here. - The sanctions list has been updated here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list - The full list of those designated is as follows:
|