Some events cause erosion of ‘trust,’ particularly when these events are carried out by a government or its officials.
One of the events that further diminished public ‘trust’ in the regime was the criminal downing of the Ukrainian passenger plane. flight PS752. This ‘operation’ was carried out by the regime’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) to provide cover for its missile attack on the US base Ain al-Assad in Iraq, on January 8, 2020.
The state TV’s coverage of the incident reflected the regime’s desperation and concern vis-s-vis the consequences of this crime.
Immediately after this crime and before the results of the investigation of the plane’s black box were announced, state TV blamed ‘technical problems as the main cause of the ‘plane crash,’ and blamed the ‘enemy’ for spreading ‘lies,’ ‘deceptions’ and ‘psychological warfare operations’ to damage the regime’s reputation.
With great fanfare, the state TV, went out of its way to “expose the commotion, espionage, and fabrications of the dissident media. The truth was something else, however. And when that truth came out, the regime further undercut public trust in an already loathed regime.
The reaction of social media speaks volumes about the extent to which the regime has been discredited in the eyes of Iranians.
A blogger asked:
“Why did you hit the passenger plane with a rocket?
Why did you hit it twice?
Why did you deny and lie for three days?
Why did you drive a bulldozer over the wreckage?
Why did you not allow an independent international investigation?
Why were the main perpetrators not tried and punished?
All these questions still remain unanswered.”
Another social media user said: “On the 2nd anniversary of flight #PS752, we stand with the families of its 176 passengers, including 15 children who were brutally killed.”
Another social media user added: “Two years have passed, and justice hasn’t been served yet. The Iranian regime has refused to accept any accountability for the killing of 176 innocent people aboard Ukrainian Int’l Airlines Flight #PS752 with multiple surface-to-air missiles. We will never forget.”
Another social media user said: “Too painful to remember, too painful to forget.”
Another social media user said: “I will hurt you for this. I don’t know how yet but give me time. A day will come when you think you are safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes. With love and fond memories of victims of flight #PS752.”
Another social media user paid homage to her sister and wrote: “Two years ago #IRGC brutally killed my sister and niece by shooting down Flight #PS752 … for Parisa and Reera and all the other 174 passengers and crew #IWillLightACandleToo.”
Finally, the official Twitter account of the victims wrote:
“Families carry placards to send their messages. Loud and clear.
“The right to life is a human right. Killing a human being is destroying a generation. Justice is not negotiable. Truth should not be sacrificed for expediency. As the next of kin, we will not forgive. …”
