CNN
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Two Anglo-Iranian journalists working in the UK have been warned by police about a “credible” plot by Iran to kill them, their employers, a London-based news channel, said. Iran International reported.
In a statement on Monday, the Persian-language broadcaster accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of being part of a “grave and dangerous escalation” of the campaign in Tehran, while accusing it of a deadly threat. “I am shocked and deeply concerned,” he said. To intimidate Iranian journalists working abroad. ”
Iran International said in a statement, “Two of the British and Iranian journalists were recently notified of increased threats to them.” We have formally notified both journalists of the imminent, credible and grave danger to the lives of
Iran International did not disclose the journalist’s name for security reasons.
The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian military established by order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. It is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
Iran International has become one of the go-to sources for many Iranians looking for news about the protests after the death in custody of Mercer Amini. Martha Amini is a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who was detained by moral police for not wearing her hijab properly.
“These deadly threats to British citizens in the UK come after weeks of warnings from the IRGC and the Iranian government about the activities of free, uncensored Farsi-language media operating in London. ‘ added the news channel in a statement.
Iran International said in a statement that other members of its staff had also been alerted by police to another threat.
“We hope that the UK government, international governments and other organizations will join us in condemning these terrible threats and continuing to emphasize the importance of media freedom,” the statement added.
London’s Metropolitan Police told CNN it does not comment on security issues involving specific individuals.
“People with concerns about their personal safety are encouraged to contact police so they can assess the situation and provide safety and security advice where appropriate,” police said. .
The IRGC was not immediately reachable when CNN reached out for comment.
Founded in 2017, Iran International has been at the forefront of covering recent demonstrations with exclusive footage of the event on the ground. His Twitter account has more than 1 million followers.
The 24-hour news channel has previously come under scrutiny by the Iranian government for its reporting.
In 2018, Iran International was funded by a company whose directors have ties to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh and Tehran after The Guardian reported. issued a statement denying any ties to the government, including
Iran said in October it had imposed sanctions on a number of media outlets in the UK for “supporting terrorism” and “inciting violence,” state-run Tasnim news agency reported.
The sanctioned groups also included what Tehran called “anti-Iranian television channels” such as Iran International, Tasnim reported.
Iranian journalists have also come under pressure from Iranian authorities, including facing imprisonment and arrest.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said that as of Monday, at least 61 journalists had been arrested in Iran for covering protests, reporting on the deaths of protesters and photographing demonstrations, the organization reported. Stated.
Meanwhile, in a Twitter post on Tuesday, the Kurdish human rights group Hengoh Human Rights Organization said the IRGC had “recently raised threats against members of Henggoh” following the death of a Kurdish Iranian woman who sparked a wave of protests in Iran. strengthened,” he said. on sunday.
