Chancellor Scholz: "Iran, Additional Sanctions"... 2,000 Protesters Publicly Tried

(Photo by Bloomberg)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that he is considering additional sanctions against Iranian authorities who are cracking down harshly on the 'hijab suspicious death' protests. As human rights abuses against the anti-government protests entering their seventh week are spreading, the international community's efforts to isolate Iran are accelerating.

On the 31st (local time), Chancellor Scholz wrote on Twitter, "It is regrettable that people peacefully protesting are dying at the hands of Iranian authorities. I condemn the excessive use of force by the Iranian security forces and support the Iranian people. EU sanctions are important. We are also considering additional sanctions."

Earlier, Germany announced last week its plan to strengthen entry restrictions on Iran.

Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German Chancellor's Office, said, "We support those who take to the streets to defend their rights and will use our means for them," adding, "Regarding additional sanctions, we will announce them when the time comes."

This statement came shortly after the European Union (EU) announced it is considering listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

The day before, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in an interview with German ARD broadcaster, "The EU and Germany are looking into ways to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization."

If designated for sanctions, the assets of the targeted organizations or individuals within EU member states will be frozen. The United States has already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

Previously, the EU imposed sanctions such as travel bans on four government agencies that suppressed the anti-government protests and 11 individuals including commanders of the guidance patrol.

Meanwhile, the Iranian judiciary indicted 2,000 people in and around the capital Tehran for illegal acts related to the anti-government protests on the same day.

According to the British Guardian, the Tehran provincial court stated, "We have indicted 1,000 people for rioting, including assaulting police and setting public property on fire, and trials will be held soon."

The sanctions announcement by Germany and the EU came just one day after Hossein Salami, IRGC Commander-in-Chief, issued a final warning targeting the anti-government protesters.

At the funeral of victims of a terrorist attack at the Islamic holy site held in the central city of Shiraz the day before, Commander Salami said, "Protesters should no longer take to the streets," and "Today will be the last day of the protests," indicating a hardline crackdown.

Human rights organizations report that with the IRGC and Iranian government continuing their violent suppression of protesters, at least 3,000 people have been arrested so far.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.