DUBAI, Nov 15 (Reuters) – Iranian authorities have arrested administrators of more than 20 groups on the messaging app Telegram for spreading “immoral content”, semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday, the latest detentions in a clampdown on freedom of expression.
In recent weeks, Iran’s hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has rounded up a number of artists, journalists and U.S. citizens, citing fears of Western “infiltration”.
Their campaign coincides with Iran beginning the implementation of a nuclear deal signed with world powers in July, which hardliners oppose for fear it will open up Iranian society to what they see as Western influences.
Telegram’s Chief Executive Pavel Durov said last month that Iranian authorities had demanded he hand over “spying and censorship tools”, and temporarily blocked the app when he refused. He was later informed by Iran’s Ministry of Information that the request was “not authorized by any higher authorities”.
The IRGC announced the Telegram users’ arrests last week, saying they had shared images and text “insulting to Iranian officials”. At the time, the judiciary denied any such arrests had occurred. It has not commented on Sunday’s reports.
Last week, U.N. human rights investigators called on the authorities to cease arresting, harassing and prosecuting journalists and other activists to pave the way for free debate ahead of parliamentary elections in February.
Under the nuclear deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions on its economy. Iran always denied Western suspicions it wanted to develop a nuclear weapon.