Iran reveals the arrest of 21,000 people during its war with Israel.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups

Arabian Sea - Agencies Iran revealed on Tuesday that it had arrested 21,000 "suspects" during the 12-day war with Israel last June, while announcing a decrease in the rate of criminal offenses in its territories. Following the Israeli airstrikes that began on June 13, Iranian security forces began a large-scale arrest campaign accompanied by a heavy deployment in the streets around checkpoints. Police spokesman Saeed Montazer Al-Mahdi said, "There was a 41% increase in the number of public reports from the public about any individuals they believed were acting suspiciously, leading to the arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war." Al-Mahdi did not mention the charges against the arrested suspects, but Tehran had previously spoken of people who had passed on information that may have helped direct the Israeli attacks. The conflict between Israel and Iran has also accelerated the pace of deportation of Afghan migrants suspected of residing illegally in Iran, and aid agencies reported that local authorities also accused some Afghan citizens of spying for Israel. The police spokesman said that law enforcement agencies "arrested 2,774 illegal immigrants and discovered 30 special security cases by examining their phones." He explained that 261 suspects were arrested for espionage and 172 people were accused of unauthorized photography. The spokesman did not specify the number of detainees who have since been released. He added that the Iranian police dealt with more than 5,700 cases of cybercrime such as online fraud and unauthorized withdrawal of funds during the war, which he said turned "cyberspace into an important battle front." He continued, "By sending 30 night patrol units, the geography of crime was controlled. During this period, theft crimes decreased by 15.5%, and the rate of detection increased by 48.8%." According to Al-Mahdi's statements, "Criminal offenses also decreased by more than 20%, while the rate of detection increased by 85.9%, and murder crimes decreased by 23.3%, and the rate of detection of murder crimes remained above 90%." The police spokesman concluded by saying, "The 41% increase in citizen reports and the arrest of 21,000 suspects during the 12-day war is evidence of public awareness and active participation in ensuring security." Montazer Al-Mahdi affirmed the police's "full readiness," saying, "From cyberspace to the roads, the country's security is guaranteed with strength and steadfastness, and these successes are the result of the cooperation of the armed forces and the generous Iranian people." Source: Al Jazeera - Reuters