Amid an increasingly repressive security atmosphere in Iran, Asghar Jahangir, the spokesperson for Iran’s judiciary, announced that in several provinces, “individuals of European nationality” who, according to him, “were in some way collaborating with Israel,” had been arrested and that legal cases had been opened against them.
In a press conference on Monday, June 30, Jahangir did not specify the identity or number of European detainees but announced that special judicial branches had been ordered to be established throughout the country to handle the cases of individuals labeled as “traitors and mercenaries.”
Jahangir stated, “We will address the cases of mercenaries and traitors without leniency,” adding that directives issued by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, would ensure these cases are processed rapidly.
Political Prisoners Held In The Greater Tehran Prison Are Enduring Unbearable Conditions
He added that the judiciary would address cases involving charges such as “crimes against national and regime security, espionage, treason, and betraying the country” in a “firm and expedited” manner. According to Ejei’s order, these cases would be handled in an “extraordinary” process.
Iran’s regime has long been accused by European officials and non-governmental organizations of engaging in “hostage diplomacy” by detaining dual nationals and foreign citizens in order to pursue its political objectives and extract concessions.
In recent days, following the implementation of a ceasefire after the 12-day war with Israel, the Iranian regime has intensified its security clampdown and increased the arrests of civil society and media activists in connection with the conflict.
Throughout this period, judiciary officials have repeatedly announced the creation of special branches within the judiciary to process these cases, stating that verdicts will be issued swiftly.
On June 27, the human rights website HRANA reported that since the early morning of June 13, coinciding with the start of Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Iranian regime security forces had arrested more than 1,596 individuals.
According to the report, the number of detained foreign nationals, ranging from Europeans to Afghans, had reached at least 98. These individuals were arrested on charges such as illegal entry and membership in intelligence networks.
Subsequently, human rights media outlets and state-run websites reported the arrest of dozens more individuals across various cities on political and security-related charges.
HRANA, citing the large number of arrests and the rapid issuance of provisional sentences, warned that the public threats issued by judiciary officials have raised serious concerns about the detainees’ right to a fair trial.
Amnesty International, in a report dated June 25, stated that Iranian regime officials’ calls for the swift trial and execution of detainees accused of “collaborating with Israel” demonstrate their use of the death penalty as a tool for exerting control and instilling fear among the public.
