Ebrahim Raisi's government has sent a new law to Parliament for ratification that would allow all armed forces or agents in Iran to be able to use their weapons to attack dissident protesters without fear of consequences, state media reported today.
While the opposition routinely sends out footage from Iran via social media of armed forces shooting at defenceless protesters, the new law is aimed at giving blanket immunity to those armed forces who are caught firing at people during the #IranProtests.
The bill, which will be debated in parliament in the coming weeks, will change the legal term "Armed Forces Agents" to "Armed Agents".
In addition to the armed forces, "other persons authorized by law to carry weapons" will be able to use them based on the new law's provisions.
Per the bill: If "individuals who are armed by the authorities to protect themselves" commit a crime, they will not be punished in accordance with the Islamic Penal Code. Where their use of weapons is considered a "legitimate" defense, there will be no need to pay compensation.
The report adds:
While the current law only allows military and police officers to use weapons to establish order and security in illegal armed demonstrations, unrest & riots on the order of the operation commander, the government's bill allows "security agents" to use arms too.
EtemadOnline's report quotes lawmaker Mehdi Saadati, Member of the Majlis' National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, as announcing the new government bill in an interview with the state-run YJC news agency.
It's worth pointing out that Mehdi Saadati, the lawmaker announcing the new bill that allows Iran's security forces to open fire on #IranProtests, is an IRGC Brig General, a former IRGC Commander in Hormozgan, Hamedan, Mazandaran & Khuzestan & a former Governor of Gilan Province
Of course, Iran's regime has always resorted to armed suppression of #IranProtests. But attempts now to legalize the brutality stem from a culture of impunity fueled in part by the UN's failure to hold mass murderer Ebrahim Raisi accountable for major crimes inc the #1988Massacre
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In a stunning revelation last Friday, Iran's main opposition NCRI published the names and photographs of over 22,000 Iranian prison wardens, interrogators, intelligence agents, and other #humanrights abusers
@mbachelet@AgnesCallamard@JavaidRehman Altogether the names/details of 33000 Iranian prison officials, wardens, interrogators, intelligence agents & executioners were made public at a press conference in Paris on 13 May. The treasure trove of info contains 22000 photos of personnel involved in #humanrights violations.
Chants of "Khuzestan has no water" in Tehran on Day 17 of #IranProtests.
The regime has been unable to end the protests despite a deadly crackdown and disruptions to the internet. The MEK report numerous similar anti-regime protests today in Shush and other parts of Iran.
There were also chants of "Death to the dictator" in today's protests in Tehran.
This was once a taboo in Iran. Khamenei & Raisi have lost their iron grip on society.
Senior editors of @amconmag have ties to @NIACouncil & have published hundreds of items attacking US policy & promoting Iran's regime. My new scoop for @IranNewsUpdate1
The American Conservative @amconmag is secretly working w/ Iran's lobby @NIACouncil
In 2018 its panel included NIAC founder @tparsi. It has systematically run ~400 pro-regime pieces echoing @JZarif's talking points that also attack Trump Admin policies & officials inc @SecPompeo
For the record, in 2012 the US District Court for DC ruled @NIACouncil & its President @tparsi were “first and foremost an advocate for the regime” in Iran
NIAC lobbies for an end to sanctions on the regime & demonizes the opposition MEK
The regime's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last Wednesday issued an Executive Order sending Iran's 2020-2021 budget bill to the Guardian Council without Parliament's approval, using the #Coronavirus crisis as an excuse. en.parliran.ir/eng/en/Content…
By bypassing lawmakers Khamenei hasn't solved Iran's economic crisis. He's simply swept it under the rug. The new budget is 20176016794000000 Rials.
~20000 trillion Rials = $480 billion (official rate) or $132 billion (actual rate). The regime has nowhere near that kind of income
Iran's 2019 budget was based on oil exports of 1.54M bpd at $54/barrel. But US sanctions brought exports as low as 100000 bpd. The new budget is based on sales of 1M bpd at $50/barrel, so income will be < last year. Oil/gas revenue is estimated at $10.83B (454986 billion Rials).
THREAD @PatrickKingsley's @nytimes piece on Iran's MEK is contradictory, fails to offer an objective view & oddly enough has no "scoop". It's just slander. PK says he was allowed in MEK's camp for 9hrs, which in itself undermines his attempt to portray them as secretive & closed.
A group of US-based "analysts" spoke by video-call Monday at an event called "America's Demise" held by Iran's Intel Ministry aimed at boosting IRGC morale after Soleimani's death. @FBI should do a background check on these ppl for possible US law violations.
CC: @PressSec THREAD