ISTANBUL (RNS) — After a 12-day war between Israel and Iran and a persisting ceasefire, more than 700 people have been arrested in Iran on accusations of spying for Israel, Iranian state media reported. Watchdog groups such as the Iran Human Rights nongovernmental organization have estimated the number is closer to 900.
Among those detained are Jewish and Baha’i leaders in Iran, including rabbis and community leaders. According to Human Rights Activists News Agency, a watchdog group focused on Iran, at least 35 Jews from Tehran and Shiraz have been interrogated by security forces since June 23. At least three Baha’is have also been arrested or disappeared since the war began, and nearly 20 Baha’i homes were raided by authorities, according to Iran Press Watch, an NGO that documents the rights of the Baha’i community in Iran.
Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, the sole Jewish member of Iran’s Parliament, denied the Jews detained were charged with spying for Israel. Instead, he said they were arrested for “unlicensed family celebrations” and were to be released.
However, the arrests come in the wake of a new law quickly pushed through the Iranian Parliament last week, which classifies cooperation with hostile states such as Israel and the United States as “efsad-fil-arz” or “corrupting on the earth,” leaving those convicted eligible for the death penalty. At least six people have already been executed by hanging since the June 24 ceasefire.
“The new parliamentary bill and widespread arrests under the pretext of espionage are part of efforts to intensify the repressive atmosphere in society to prevent protests,” Iran Human Rights director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said in a statement. “Isla …