Iran’s police force said it detained about 21,000 people during the 12-day air war with Israel in mid-June, providing the first comprehensive tally of arrests made under emergency security measures imposed at the time. Police spokesperson Gen. Saeed Montazeralmahdi told state television that the round-up followed seven million civilian tip-offs and checks at more than 1,000 roadblocks across the country. The detainees include 261 people suspected of espionage, 172 held for unauthorized filming and 2,774 Afghan nationals questioned over their legal status. Officers also logged more than 5,700 cyber-crime cases during the hostilities, he said, without specifying how many of those held remain in custody. The conflict, which ran from 13 to 24 June, began with Israeli airstrikes that Iranian officials say killed almost 1,100 people, including military commanders and civilians. Tehran’s retaliatory missile and drone barrages left 28 dead in Israel before a cease-fire took effect on 24 June. Human-rights groups have warned that the mass detentions could presage a broader crackdown. Since the cease-fire, Iranian courts have executed at least seven men convicted of spying for Israel, and officials have vowed to pursue additional espionage cases arising from the June fighting.
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Iran says it detained 21,000 suspects during the June war with Israel https://t.co/JEFMVS3Mo7 https://t.co/BytZ7YK2yQ
A report by state TV quoted a police spokesperson as saying people reported the suspects to the authorities. “The arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war indicated high awareness and participation of people in providing security,” he said. https://t.co/FZDNoQ2T4J