The state-run Tasnim News Agency has reported the arrest of Bashir Biazar, described as an Iranian media activist, in France. Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Judiciary Chief and Secretary of the regime’s Human Rights Office stated that France intends to deport this individual, thereby violating his right to freedom of expression. Gharibabadi emphasized that Biazar, who is currently in detention, must be released immediately.
Furthermore, Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “In line with its inherent responsibility and serious commitment to supporting Iranian nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately took action upon learning of the arrest. We are actively working to ensure the rights of these citizens are upheld and to secure their swift release. Efforts are being made both in Paris and Tehran, and these efforts will continue until the desired outcome is achieved.”
Tasnim, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted Gharibabadi as saying, “Instead of dispensing justice, the French court aims to deport Bashir Biazar in contradiction to its human rights stance, thereby denying his right to freedom of expression and opinion. He remains in detention for the time being, and efforts to secure his immediate release and uphold his rights continue.”
Tasnim News Agency claimed that “Bashir Biazar worked in France as the head of the Music and Chorus Office for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and was engaged in defending the Palestinian people. However, despite receiving a deportation order, his detention has been extended.”
THREAD
For more than four decades, the clerical regime in #Iran has consistently blackmailed other nations and considered #extremism as "leverage". 1/9https://t.co/ieaaOkZb6y pic.twitter.com/W9u5BJHXqs— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 6, 2022
The agency added, “European courts have a history of surprising behavior towards Iranian citizens. For instance, Majid Noury, son of Hamid Noury (an Iranian national sentenced to life imprisonment in Sweden on charges brought by the Mojahedin-e Khalq), traveled to Sweden during the Persian New Year to visit his father. However, he was arrested by Swedish police on the absurd charge of taking a selfie in front of the court, spending nine days in solitary confinement before returning to Iran without meeting his father.”
Majid Noury recently commented on social media about the incident involving Bashir Biazar, writing, “In continuation of the absurdities of European courts, the French court today ruled to extend Bashir’s detention. It’s laughable that he has been ordered to be deported from France but is not being released from prison to return to Iran. If this isn’t harassment, what is? All of this is just because of his activities for Palestine on social media!”
In late May, Saudi Arabia expelled a group of six Iranians who identified themselves as media activists. In an interview with reporters, the head of the IRIB, who personally went to the airport to receive them, expressed ignorance about the reasons for their arrest and expulsion.
Over the past four decades, the Iranian regime has carried out numerous terrorist operations on French soil. Last year, a building belonging to supporters of the Iranian Resistance in northern Paris was attacked twice—on May 31 and June 11, 2023—with gunfire and incendiary devices by terrorists linked to the Quds Force and the Ministry of Intelligence. In response to these incidents, the Iranian regime launched an extensive propaganda campaign against the Iranian Resistance and France.