Feb 21, 2023
On Monday, more than 20,000 Iranians and their allies gathered in front of the European Council in Brussels to express their opposition to the Islamic Republic and demand that the European Union designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
The protest was attended by various opposition figures who condemned the IRGC's actions and expressed solidarity with dissidents in Iran who have been protesting against the regime since September.
At the rally, Masih Alinejad emphasized the importance of unity, stating that victory cannot be achieved without solidarity. Hamed Esmaeilion also spoke at the event, urging the immediate and urgent placement of the IRGC on the terrorist list.
Former US President George W. Bush also voiced his support, sending a message stating that “the IRGC is a terrorist organization and a frequent violator of human rights and that its actions in Iran and abroad demonstrate the violent nature of the Islamic Republic.”
Fifth Round of Sanctions
On Monday, the European Union issued a statement sanctioning two institutions and 32 officials of the Islamic Republic, including the IRGC Deputy Supreme Commander, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and the Minister of Education, for their involvement in the suppression of Iranian protesters. This is the fifth round of sanctions against Tehran for its crackdown on protesters.
Less than a month ago, European Union foreign ministers approved the fourth package of sanctions against the Islamic Republic's authorities and institutions for repressing protesters, which included 37 individuals for human rights violations.
Since the beginning of the nationwide uprising against the regime and the Islamic Republic's deadly crackdown on that uprising, the European Union, along with the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has imposed sanctions on the actors of the repression in separate packages and on several occasions.
No Evidence, Yet Execution
As reported by Human Rights Activists News Agency, Javad Rouhi’s lawyer said there is not enough evidence of his alleged "crimes". Rouhi is charged with Hiraba and has already been sentenced to execution three times. He is 35 years old and, according to his lawyer, joined the protests in the early days but was not involved in the destruction of public property or the burning of the holy Quran. “He was just standing there when the forces arrested him," Rouhi's lawyer says.