Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, May 5, 2019 – Following an upsurge in the internal infighting inside the factions of Iran’s regime over censorship measures against social media platforms Telegram and Instagram, Mohammad Montazeri, the regime’s attorney general lashed out at the Minister of Communications saying administrative authorities must pay attention to the scope of internet crimes.
“If we decide to publish these crimes, it would be shameful. The cyberspace issue is left without checks and brings shame to the country,” Montazeri said. “This damn network of Telegram and Instagram, which is filled with whatever people outside Iran want, is known to all of us.”
The mullahs’ attorney general insisted on internet censorship, terrorism and internet repression, describing such measures as the “fight against internet crimes.”
“In 2016, we had 1,826 cases. In 2017, however, we had 38,341 cases reported and registered, showing a 20.47% increase in internet crimes. In the year 2018, we recorded and registered 46,804 cases, which shows a 23.7% increase compared to the previous year and a 47.6% increase compared to 2016,” he added.
Montazeri was forced to acknowledge the regime’s inability to enforce internet censorship and put the blame on the Ministry of Communications.
“The Ministry of Communications is responsible for the internet. Because they have the most tools to deal with such issues. I only act as the attorney general in this matter,” Montazeri claimed.
Analysts described his request for a live TV debate with the Communication Minister as factional infighting that has gripped the entire regime apparatus struggling to cope with fatal internal and external pressures, and escalating crises.
“I call on the Communication Minister to appear on TV along with an expert that I will name to answer why they haven’t done anything to launch a national intelligence network demanded by the supreme leader, and why they haven’t implemented the Cyberspace Supreme Council enactments,” Montazeri said.
