![](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/images\/stories\/2013\/news\/satellite-dish-iran.jpg\")
NCRI – The Iranian regime has confiscated 16,800 private satellite dishes in Zanjan province alone in the past year, the province’s deputy commander of the State Security Forces has revealed.<\/p>\nNCRI – The Iranian regime has confiscated 16,800 private satellite dishes in Zanjan province alone in the past year, the province’s deputy commander of the State Security Forces has revealed.<\/p>\n
The seizure rate represents one dish for every 57 people in the small north-western province with a population of around 971,000.<\/p>\n
The confiscations are the latest measures that are part of the regime’s desperation to cut its people off from the outside world.<\/p>\n
The state-run Mehr news agency – linked to the Ministry of Intelligence and Security – quoted Zanjan social affairs director Mansour Moradlou as saying: “The use of satellite receivers in villages in Zanjan province is alarming.<\/p>\n
“The villages are vulnerable to social damage and the expanded use of satellite dishes is an indication of this.<\/p>\n
“There needs to be extensive planning to counter such a cultural offensive. The religious organizations and clerics should be used in best possible ways in this regard.”<\/p>\n
The Culture and Satellite Communications Research Center has also admitted the use of satellites is booming, with one official saying earlier this year: “Based on research. 60 percent of people are viewing satellite channels, and the number is increasing.”<\/p>\n
Zanjan was also the scene of the first arrest of people selling VPN software, which can by-pass the regime’s censorship of the Internet by appearing to be logged on in another country.<\/p>\n
Zanjan’s police chief said of the arrest of one man: “Following efforts by the police, the seller was identified, digital documents were collected and the order for arrest was issued. The accused confessed after being presented with the documents.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NCRI – The Iranian regime has confiscated 16,800 private satellite dishes in Zanjan province alone in the past year, the province’s deputy commander of the State Security Forces has revealed. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[175],"class_list":["post-13495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-human-rights","tag-updated"],"yoast_head":"\n