Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Amini Anniversary

The Islamic Republic's authorities are ramping up efforts to suppress commemorative activities both online and offline in Kurdish towns on the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's custodial death.

According to reports from multiple users in Saqqez and Sanandaj, FATA, Iran's internet police, has launched a campaign of intimidation targeting individuals who have changed their social media profile pictures to images of Amini.

Users have reported receiving direct threats of arrest if they do not remove these images.

The crackdown extends beyond profile pictures, with FATA police reportedly contacting numerous users to warn them against posting any content related to the second anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests.

The move appears to be part of a broader strategy to stifle remembrance of the events that sparked nationwide unrest two years ago.

Some users have reported that their SIM cards and bank accounts were abruptly blocked by FATA police, without any legal complaint and solely on the orders of security agencies.

The digital crackdown coincides with increased pressure on citizens, activists, and families of those involved in the 2022 protests known as the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Trade union activists, speaking to IranWire, revealed that security forces have been monitoring their social media accounts.

Activists reported that their WhatsApp profile pictures were being included in their files as "criminal examples," with some being pressured to use images of people like Qassem Soleimani or Ebrahim Raisi instead.

Sunday marks the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, and IranWire sources report an increase in security measures across Kurdistan's cities.