HRANA – Fourteen young people were arrested by law enforcement forces for writing protest slogans and posting critical messages. Their ages have been reported as between 22 and 30. Police media released a video accusing them of “contact with foreign actors.” In the footage, the detainees make statements against themselves.
According to HRANA, quoting the Police News Agency, 14 citizens were arrested by law enforcement on charges of writing slogans and distributing or installing banners critical of state policies.
The police-affiliated news agency published a video accusing these individuals of “communication with foreign countries.” In the footage, the detainees make statements that exhibit signs of coercion. Past cases show that such confessions typically lack legal credibility.
In parts of the video, the detainees utter phrases expressing “regret” and having been “misled.” The content follows the familiar pattern of forced confessions, and the conditions under which the recording was made are unclear.
Davood Fathalizadeh, the reporter, stated that the individuals are between 22 and 30 years old and claimed that they were “guided from outside the country.” However, no information has been provided regarding their identities or the time and location of their arrests.
It is important to emphasize that, aside from the violation of human dignity inherent in recording and broadcasting forced confessions, under the law, an individual is presumed innocent until receiving a final conviction in court. Any punitive action taken prior to a final conviction constitutes a violation of their civil and human rights.
