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Iran: Mullahs resort to cyber terrorism on eve of sham elections

NCRI – The Iranian regime has expanded repression to cyberspace in attempt to prevent Internet users from openly expressing support for the Iranian resistance and the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and to show dissent against the clerical regime.

The Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) has been sending threatening messages to a wide range of users. One message signed by ‘Cyberspace Security Organization’ reads: “You have contacted the PMOI on Facebook. Since this grouplet is considered terrorist and Mohareb (at war with God) … any contact with this grouplet is forbidden according to articles 186 and 500 of the Islamic penal code and is considered a crime. “

The message continues: “Therefore we ask you dear user to cut relations with agents of this grouplet and be careful on using the Internet to not fall in the trap of warring groups and countries who try to deceive and exploit you under various names”.

At the end of these intimidating messages to users, article 185 of the mullahs’ penal code is quoted, according to which any group or organized faction who is engaged in armed struggle against the Islamic regime, as long as its leadership exists, all of its members and supporters who know the position of that group or faction or organization and somehow are active in promoting its goals, are Mohareb, even if they are not in the military branch.

Article 500 of this code states: “Anyone engaged in propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic of Iran or in favour of opposition groups in any way will be sentenced to 3 months to one year prison.”

The Iranian regime has stepped up publishing reports in state-run media expressing fear of the activities of PMOI supporters in Iran

In one such report, Fars, the state-run news agency affiliated to the IRGC, wrote on May 18: “This Organization has the experience of rebellion, unrest and sabotage during the incidents following the 2009 election.”

“They are attempting to guide their elements and supporters in the 2013 presidential election by issuing instructions for the election… they have ordered their forces to use all their capacity to deepen the rifts… it has drawn on all its media capacity, including netizens working with social networks, websites and weblogs”.

On the heels of sham election, while the factional feuding and power struggle within the regime has intensified and reached to new heights, the Iranian regime tries to prevent the eruption of anger of frustrated youth and public.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
May 21, 2013