Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeARTICLESIran: Escalating security measures prior to a soccer match

Iran: Escalating security measures prior to a soccer match

Analysis by PMOI/MEK

 

Iran, May 3, 2019 – Fearing a soccer match between two Iranian national teams transforming into a scene of anti-regime protest, the clerical regime put on standby its repressive state security forces and attempted to intimidate and create an atmosphere of fear in Tabriz, northwestern Iran.

The match was scheduled between Persepolis and Tractorsazi in Tabriz Stadium on Wednesday. Fans from both sides were attending from across Tabriz and neighboring cities to watch the game.

The clerical regime sought to suppress any form of dissent by stationing security forces and anti-riot units along the road leading to the stadium.

Additionally, the mullahs’ regime stopped all busses carrying young soccer fans from Urmia, southwest of Tabriz.

The measure did not stop the youth from going to the stadium. They got off the bus and walked the remaining long distance to the stadium to watch the match. Some were driving their own cars. Security forces stopped these vehicles, searching each and every one of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some spectators were heard chanting, “Hail to Rajavi,” referring to Iranian Resistance leader Massoud Rajavi and opposition President Maryam Rajavi, head of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).

Furthermore, during the match, state security forces were seen terrified of anger building up between the fans of the two side trying to coerce repressive measures in the stadium. Despite all the efforts by the regime’s security forces, the youth were heard clearly expressing their hatred toward the regime.

 

 

 

Moreover, according to local reports from the city of Maragheh, south of Tabriz, state security forces were ordered to prevent the youth from that city to travel to Tabriz to watch the match. Reports indicated that a number of local figures were summoned to police stations, detained at the site through the course of the match.

Officials from the Intelligence Ministry had interrogated those arrested and held them in custody, all without any official warrants or court orders. These local figures were told not to go to Tabriz for the match and also warned of “consequences” if they disobey the authorities’ demands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Selected

fd88217f-1f1b-4525-92f8-1ec00c750fc9_330
PMOI-MEk1-1

Latest News and Articles

No feed found with the ID 1. Go to the All Feeds page and select an ID from an existing feed.