Iran International journalists receive credible threats to life – in the UK

Iran International, the independent UK-based Farsi-language news channel has said that is shocked and deeply concerned by the credible threats to life its journalists have received from the IRGC.

Two of the channel’s British-Iranian journalists have, in recent days, been notified of an increase in the threats to them. The Metropolitan Police have now formally notified both journalists that these threats represent an imminent, credible and significant risk to their lives and those of their families. Other members of Iran International staff have also been informed directly by the Metropolitan Police of separate threats.

Iran International say its journalists are subject to abuse 24/7 on social media. “But these threats to life of British-Iranian journalists working in the UK marks a significant and dangerous escalation of a state-sponsored campaign to intimidate Iranian journalists working abroad. These lethal threats to British citizens on British soil come after several weeks of warnings from the IRGC and Iranian government about the work of a free and uncensored Farsi-language media working in London,” the channel said in a statement.

“Britain is the home of free speech,” the statement continues. “Iran International stands as part of that tradition, proud to serve the 85m people of Iran with independent, uncensored information. The Islamic Republic of Iran, and specifically the IRGC cannot be allowed to export their pernicious media crackdown to the UK. The IRGC cannot be allowed to act abroad with impunity.

“We hope that the UK Government, international governments and other organisations will join us in condemning these horrific threats and continue to highlight the importance of media freedom.

“We would like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their considerable efforts in keeping journalists safe.”

The AIB continues to support channels and their staff under threat from bad actors.

Image: William Barton/Shutterstock​