Iran Document: The Ministry of Intelligence's Intimidating Phone Call

Radio Farda posts an example of the surveillance and intimidation of the Iranian population. A man who called Radio Farda's voicemail service to report that SMS texting was not working on 11 February (22 Bahman), was contacted a week later from a man claiming to be from the Isfahan offices of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence:

MINISTRY OF INTELLIGENCE: How are you?
KEYVAN: Thanks.
-- Is Ms. ******** the owner of the phone line?
-- Yes.
-- How are you?
-- Thanks.
-- So the phone line is hers, yes?
-- Why are you asking? Yes.
-- Are you Keyvan?
-- Yes, I am Keyvan.

-- How are you?
-- Thanks.
-- I'm calling you from the local office of the Ministry of Intelligence. OK?
-- OK.
-- Are you listening?
-- Yes.
-- OK, write down our address and my phone number.
-- OK.
-- Isfahan... Bozorgmehr Street... after it intersects with Golzar... local office of the Ministry of Intelligence.
-- And then what?
-- Did you write that down?
-- Yes.
-- Now write down my phone number... 222-43-18... My name is Sohrabi.
-- OK, Brigadier General Sohrabi, yes?
-- Yes. Be there before three o'clock, I have something to tell you.
-- What do you want to say?
-- Come there, we'll talk. And if you don't come, I'll come to your door and bring you here.
-- OK, thank you.
-- Listen! If you don't show up, I'll come to your door and handcuff you. I'm warning you.
-- OK, I've recorded everything that you've said just now and I'll post it on the Internet.
-- You can send it wherever you want.
-- OK.
-- If you don't show up, I swear to God that I'll scalp you.
-- OK.
-- And I want you to post my words [on the Internet]. I have more to say... If you don't show up before three, I'll scalp you.
-- OK, thank you.
-- Don't forget. At three, I'll be waiting.
-- I'm in Mobarakeh, Sir.
-- Wherever you are. I don't care.
-- Behave yourself. I'm in Mobarakeh and I can't be there before three [o'clock]... I'll come in the next few days.
-- Listen! Wherever you are...
-- I called [Radio Farda] and said the SMS system wasn't working. Did I lie?
-- Listen! I have your address. If you don't show up, then I'll come and handcuff you and then you'll be ashamed in front of the neighbors. I want to talk to you.
-- I won't be ashamed, you'll be ashamed.
-- OK, we want to be ashamed.
-- OK, so do it.
-- When will you come?
-- I'll come on a working day [not on a weekend].
-- When?
-- Today I can't come. I have guests.
-- When will you come?
-- What day is today?
-- Today is Thursday.
-- I'll come on Sunday.
-- Sunday at what time?
-- I don't know. Sunday morning.
-- What time? I want to give you a chance. So later you don't say that we didn't inform you or ask you to come by yourself. I'm giving you a chance.
-- Are you giving me a chance?
-- Yes. I want you to record my voice and send it there [abroad].
-- Sure I will.
-- Do it for sure.
-- OK.
-- When will you come?
-- I told you, on Sunday.
-- Sunday at what time?
-- I'll come whenever I want to, not the time that you are telling me. I'll come on Sunday.
-- OK, if tonight you don't show up, then I know what to do.
-- I'll come on Sunday.
-- If you don't come tonight, I'll arrest you tonight.
-- You can take me even to Evin prison. What can be worse than that?
-- If you don't show up tonight, then I'll show you what can be worse. Bye.
-- Bye.

Comments

[Barry]

This was chilling! And Samuel wonders why most here are not proud or supportive of his Islamic Revolution or admire his heroes Khomenei and Khamenei.

Barry

[Bosco]

I'd like to hear the actual audio before jumping to any conclusions. More than likely this did take place, but even our side has made up some things.

[Megan]

I would have said to him "go to hell" and hung up. After that I would not have answered the phone and would have let the calls go to voice mail. And I would have changed my greeting to " if you are calling from ministry of intelligence go F*** yourself ". I would have then tried, if possible, changing my phone number.

We only die once and if I am in their shoes I die with glory; I kill them as they are murdering me.

[pessimist]

as you say, it's chilling. Several things come to mind. This person is very defiant and seems to know how it works and why he's being called. If this is a true conversation, I hope he gets the hell out.

I saw a discussion on another blog about this practise getting people arrested by simply calling them and they obediently go for the appointment. Someone asked what if they didn't go, and the answer was 'they wouldn't dare' (they are too brainwashed).

this is a terrible thing to say but this reminds me of what was said of some jews during the war who just couldn't believe that they were in danger and obediently went for registration etc, instead of fleeing. I hope that this is spread around to warn people never to go to these appointments.

I wonder how they got his name, did he give it on the call to the radio, were they tapping the lines or waves during all the calls to the radio ?

[Catherine]

@ Bosco
RFE/RL has the audio, but you'll need to ask them for it:
http://www.rferl.org/content/Listen_In_On_Iranian_Strong_Arming/1968063.html