TEHRAN: Iran has formed a special unit to monitor websites and fight Internet crimes, in a clear attack on an opposition that relies almost exclusively on online means to broadcast its message, newspapers reported Saturday.
Police Col. Mehrdad Omidi, who heads the Internet crime unit, said the committee would fight “insults and the spreading of lies,” terms widely used by the judiciary to describe opposition activities.
“Given the spread of Internet use, police must confront crimes taking place in the Web atmosphere,” he said. “A special committee has been set up to monitor the Internet and deal with crimes ... such as fraud, ... insults and the spreading of lies.” Omidi specifically said the 12-member unit would intervene in “political matters on the Internet should there be an illegal act.”
The official said the unit would operate under the direction of the prosecution office.
Iranian authorities have banned most websites linked to Iran’s opposition or those containing articles supporting the reform movement. The opposition has continued to set up new website within days of the old ones being blocked.
The opposition has no access to state media and has been promoting its message largely through the Internet.
Iranian newspapers are warned by authorities from time to time not to publish articles in support of the opposition leaders.
It was not immediately clear exactly how the new unit would carry out its surveillance.
Reform-minded journalist Akbar Montajabi described this as the latest set of restrictions being imposed on the media in Iran.
“That police monitor websites and impose restrictions is nothing new. Authorities know that Internet is the one of few available channels for the opposition to make its voice heard,” he said. “They want to silence opposition voices.”
Montajabi said popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter were some of the few available channels to inform the world on what was happening in Iran following the disputed June elections and the authorities want to limit them -- if not stamp out that avenue altogether.
Aboutorab Fazel, manager of ILNA news agency, said Iranian police have long monitored websites but now they are refining their techniques to gain even more control.
“Almost everyday, authorities impose new rules on how to operate websites. It is not new but they are organizing their efforts to be more effective,” he said.
