CHICAGO: The Iranian regime is taking “extraordinary deterrent measures” to prevent an uprising of citizens against its repressive rule during the upcoming Festival of Fire, dissident leaders said on Monday.
The festival, also called Chaharshanbe Suri or Scarlet Wednesday, takes place on the Wednesday prior to the Iranian new year on March 20, when young people dress in disguises, bang spoons against plates and go through their communities to receive snacks.
Dissidents said Tehran fears that Iran’s youth might use the event as an opportunity to disrupt regime oppression and spark a revolution.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) said the regime had ordered “extraordinary mobilization” of its “repressive forces.”
(AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The Iranian theocracy executed at least 12 prisoners in numerous cities last week. One of those executed was a female prisoner hanged in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.
The victims include Behnam and Shoaib Rigi in Zahedan Prison on December 20, Shahab Javid in Qom Central Prison on December 17, Rasoul Ferdows in Borujerd Prison and Mohammad Moradi in Saqez Central Prison on December 17, three prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj on December 17 and two prisoners in Esfarayen on December 13.
These are just some of the death sentences that have been made public. Many prisoners are secretly executed. Many more prisoners are on death row.