IranWire:

PAYAM YOUNESIPOUR

Since nationwide protests began in Iran in January, a large number of professional athletes have been killed or detained by the Islamic Republic’s security forces. In recent days, IranWire reviewed the names of athletes who were killed by government forces during the protests.

At the same time, reports have emerged since the first week of the uprising of athletes being arrested and, in some cases, threatened with execution.

In this round of protests, the Islamic Republic has openly moved to detain athletes. While some have been released on heavy bail after interrogation, others remain in custody. In recent weeks, IranWire has learned from reliable sources in Iran that public relations and security officials at the Ministry of Sport and Youth have played a key role in identifying protesting athletes to the IRGC Intelligence Organization.

The Herasat is an internal security office present in every Iranian ministry and public institution, acting as the eyes and ears of the intelligence services. In the sports sector, these officials monitor athletes’ social media activity and private lives to ensure what authorities call “ideological compliance.”

Below is a look at some of the athletes detained by the Islamic Republic during the protests.

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