In a significant move aimed at addressing ongoing human rights violations, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against 12 Iranian regime individuals. This action, unveiled on September 18, 2024, targets key figures within Iran regime’s political and military structures, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and officials connected to Iran regime’s notorious prison system. The sanctions are part of a coordinated effort with Canada and Australia to hold accountable those responsible for severe human rights abuses within Iran and beyond its borders.
Background and Context
The sanctions come two years after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in the custody of Iran’s “Morality Police.” Her death sparked widespread protests across Iran, with citizens demanding reforms and greater freedoms. Despite these peaceful calls for change, the Iranian government has continued to employ repressive measures to silence dissent. Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley T. Smith, emphasized that the United States, alongside its allies, remains committed to exposing and penalizing those perpetuating Iran regime’s oppressive policies.
Targeted Individuals and Their Roles
The sanctioned individuals include high-ranking commanders within the IRGC and officials from Iran’s prison system. These figures have been implicated in violent crackdowns on protests and systemic abuses within prisons:
Hamid Khorramdel: As commander of the IRGC’s Fatah Corps in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Khorramdel played a pivotal role in suppressing protests in 2019 and 2022. His forces were involved in arresting activists and coercing confessions through intimidation.
Mustafa Bazvand: Commander of the IRGC and Basij Resistance Force in Mazandaran province’s Babolsar county, Bazvand led operations that resulted in civilian casualties during the October 2022 protests.
Ali Malek-Shahkoui: As commander of the IRGC’s Golestan Corps, Malek-Shahkoui orchestrated violent responses to demonstrations in Golestan province.
Saeed Beheshti-Rad: Deputy coordinator of the IRGC’s Hazrat Nabi Akram Corps in Kermanshah province, Beheshti-Rad’s forces were responsible for numerous arrests under false charges during protests.
Human Rights Abuses in Prisons
Iran’s prison system has long been criticized for its harsh conditions and mistreatment of inmates. Several prison officials have been sanctioned due to their involvement in human rights abuses:
Ali Abdi: Director-General of South Khorasan Province Prisons since July 2022, Abdi oversaw executions without due process and denied medical care to prisoners.
Alireza Babaei Farsani: Director-General of Isfahan Province Prisons since June 2021, Farsani was implicated in torturing political prisoners to extract televised confessions.
Ahmad Reza Azadeh: Head of Sepidar Prison and former head of Shiban Prison, Azadeh’s administration was marked by torture and inadequate conditions leading to prisoner deaths.
Gholamreza Roshan: Director-General of Khuzestan Province Prisons since July 2022, Roshan’s oversight included profiting from drug sales within prisons.
Implications of Sanctions
The sanctions under Executive Order 13553 mean that all property and interests belonging to these individuals within the United States will be blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these designated individuals. Furthermore, foreign financial institutions facilitating significant transactions for these individuals risk facing U.S. sanctions themselves.
International Coordination
This latest round of sanctions underscores a broader international effort to address human rights violations by the Iranian regime. By working alongside Canada and Australia, the United States aims to increase pressure on Iran to reform its policies and respect human rights. The coordinated approach highlights a unified stance against oppressive regimes worldwide.
Source » irannewsupdate