UK imposes further sanctions on Iranian regime officials
Iranian deputy prosecutor general Ahmad Fazelian is among the list of names in further sanctions announced by foreign secretary James Cleverly
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The UK government has announced further sanctions on regime officials in Iran, including on deputy prosecutor general Ahmad Fazelian.
Foreign secretary James Cleverly said:”Those sanctioned today, from the judicial figures using the death penalty for political ends to the thugs beating protestors on the streets, are at the heart of the regime’s brutal repression of the Iranian people.
“The UK and our partners have sent a clear message through these sanctions that there will be no hiding place for those guilty of the worst human rights violations.”
The sanctions, alongside designations by the European Union and the United States, are designed demonstrate the international community’s unified condemnation of the horrific violence the Iranian regime is inflicting on its own people, including the execution of dual British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari.
Alongside the prosecutor general in Iran, whom the UK sanctioned last week, Fazelian is responsible for a judicial system characterised by unfair trials and egregious punishments, including use of the death penalty for political purposes.
There can be no hiding places for human rights violators.
Alongside our global partners, we are imposing further sanctions on the Iranian regime.
We’re targeting those responsible for oppressing the Iranian people.https://t.co/Z9xZlo6IYs— James Cleverly???????? (@JamesCleverly) January 23, 2023
Earlier this month British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari tragically became a victim of this brutal system.
Also among those now sanctioned are Kiyumars Heidari, Commander in Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ground Forces.
Heidari has publicly admitted to his and his force’s involvement in the violent response to the November 2019 protests that led to the death of at least hundreds of protesters, and he continues to order the repression of protests today.
Hossein Nejat, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Sarallah HQ is also on the santions list.
Sarallah is the division of the IRGC responsible for the security of Tehran, where we have seen some of the most brutal violence against the Iranian people
The Basij Resistance Force and Salar Abnoush, the deputy commander of Abnoush are also sanctioned.
The UK government continues to face calls from MPs across all sides of the House to fully proscribe the IRCG, a move said by insiders to be “imminent.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
