Iran Threatens Prison For Contacting Foreign Media

Image by .faramarz via Flickr

The Iranian government has taken steps to threaten and intimidate anyone who attempts to contact the foreign media by using television commercials to encourage family members to report their husbands, brothers, and sons to police and to have them arrested.

Cellphone users receive this warning when they attempt to place a phone call:

"If you participate in any type of illegal gathering or have contact with foreign media, in accordance with parts of the Islamic Law of Punishment, you will be considered a criminal and you will be subjected to legal action."

Isolated passive protests against the June 12, 2009 election are still occurring daily in Tehran and the motorcycle police have increased their efforts to bludgeon citizens to force them to disperse. Police are engaging in attacks against citizens personal property by smashing their car windows and damaging their bicycles and motorcycles.

Police are searching the work-computers of companies to find out which employees have been in contact with foreigners and charging them with a criminal action. Employees are being locked-out of their offices while the premises are searched and alleged offenders are taken into custody immediately.

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