Iran Police Deploy 250 New Anti-Riot Armored Vehicles
Iran’s police have distributed thousands of new cars, anti-riot “tactical vehicles”, motorcycles and boats to units, costing tens of millions of dollars.
Iran’s police have distributed thousands of new cars, anti-riot “tactical vehicles”, motorcycles and boats to units, costing tens of millions of dollars.
The commander of the police, General Hossein Ashtari, a senior Revolutionary Guard officer, said Sunday that 1,800 cars, 700 motorcycles, 250 “tactical vehicles” and 85 boats were procured and distributed.
Fars news that published the report gave no details about the kind of cars purchased by the police, but Iran uses a mix of domestically assembled cars as well as imported models, such as Toyota SUVs and Mercedes cars in the past. But 1,800 cars alone would cost tens of millions of dollars.
Motorcycles are mainly used to disperse protesters when special anti-riot personnel, two per motorcycle, show up in groups of 20 or more and drive toward small or large crowds. The men sitting in the back use sticks or even chains to attack civilians.
Tactical vehicles are a variety of heavy, armored semi-trucks and trucks, designed to confront and disperse protesters. They are assembled in Iran, but engines and other parts are imported. Some are used as powerful water trucks and others have special devices to fire tear gas.
The special anti-riot forces have been instrumental in the past to stop nationwide protests. Civilians have no way to protect themselves against swarming motorcycles or armored vehicles, while often these forces have permission to open fire on protesters.
In November 2019, a variety of forces were used to put down nationwide protests, including armed vigilante-type groups, riot police and according to some accounts, even Iraqi and Afghan militiamen. As a result, hundreds were killed in the streets. Reuters put the figure at 1,500, while Amnesty International has conformed 304 deaths.
The news of the large procurements comes as the Islamic Republic leadership call for more support for the police after an officer was stabbed to death by an alleged criminal this week. Iran’s parliament has vowed to relax current laws on use of firearms by the police, although during protests security forces have felt to inhibition on opening fire on civilians.
Police chief Ashtari presented the news of procurements as giving more mobility to security forces that are under the umbrella of the armed forces, with the leadership of the Revolutionary Guard, IRGC. He said the move will strengthen security on borders and for ordinary people.
He called on political leaders to support police requests for more support in next year’s budget. Already this year, security forces have received several raises amid high double-digit inflation, while other government employees receive half of what is needed for minimum expenses, estimated to be more than $400 a month for a family of 3.3.
Teachers and even court workers and prison guards have been protesting for pay raises to partially redress the impact of inflation that has seen food prices rise by 60 percent in the past year.
The murder happened in the southwestern city of Ahvaz on Saturday when the young wife was brought back from Turkey, where she had traveled for unknown reasons.
Her father helped the husband, who is his nephew, to bring the woman back to the country.
The husband and his brother, who apparently committed the murder together have been arrested.
Iran's media watchdog responded quickly and banned Rokna news agency that first released the footage of the killer carrying her wife’s head.
Honor killings are prevalent in some parts of Iran, mostly due to societal beliefs and the Islamic Republic’s lax laws and light sentences that encourage the behavior.
Article 630 of the Constitution exempts a husband from punishment if he kills if he witnesses adultery.
According to a women’s right NGO in Ahvaz, about 60 women have fallen victim to honor killings in the past two years, including some who were 10 or 15 years old. None of the perpetrators have been brought to justice as most of the families haven’t even filed a lawsuit.
The medical journal the Lancet published an article in October 2020, saying at least 8,000 honor killings took place in Iran between 2010 and 2014, but only a few were reported.
According to Sharia law, only the “blood owners” (the immediate family members) are allowed to demand execution for the murder of their loved one, therefore most honor killings go unpunished since families do not demand heavy punishment for another family member.
Bahonar, who is a former deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament and the leader of the Islamic Association of Iranian Engineers, is known for his influence in conservative political circles and his ability to organize political moves at times of crisis.
In his interview with Etemad Online published on Saturday, Bahonar said that Iran needs structural changes and Khamenei should be convinced to accept the changes.
Meanwhile, Bahonar put forward his idea of "the Second Republic" and stressed that Iran needs to facilitate the rotation of elites to materialize this idea.
Bahonar has a proven track record of organizing and mobilizing conservative groups. He did that following the landslide victory of Iran's reformists in the 1997 presidential election and the 2000 parliamentary election and consolidated the conservative groups. Nonetheless, he had remained conspicuously silent in recent years.
Bahonar’s political re-emergence
His high-profile re-emergence into the political scene took place last week as his name was among one of those who formed an alliance of reformists and moderate conservatives in a bid to bring about "a fundamental change in the country's political landscape." He is now suggesting the ideas of a second republic and good governance to facilitate the political comeback of moderates.
Bahonar has suggested in his interview with Etemad that Khamenei should approve the forming of at least four political parties ranging from the far left to reformists, moderates and conservatives with election candidates in each party who would have true plans for the future of Iran and form a parliament in 2024 that would think of national interests as its foremost concern.
He said that in the absence of real and powerful political parties, the lawmakers do not really know each other during their four years in parliament, let alone working together to solve the country's problems.
But how can his ideas be put into practice in a country where discussing a change in the constitution is part of the regime's red lines? That is probably why the seasoned politician seeks Khamenei's consent. Meanwhile, Bahonar said that he is not alone in his call for change, adding that there are other politicians who agree with him although they might differ on the details of what needs to be done.
By "others" Bahonar possibly means politicians such as former President Hassan Rouhani, former Majles Speakers Ali Larijani, Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri and former vice-president Es'haq Jahangiri who are part of a newly formed alliance. One of the signs that indicate the alliance is serious is the strong opposition expressed by the Raisi administration official mouthpiece, the Iran newspaper.
A new Republic
Bahonar explained the need for a new republic by enumerating the flaws in the current political system where instead of national interests, various institutions are mainly preoccupied with serving group interests based on ethnic, vocational and economic interests.
He added that other than at least four true political parties, Iran needs a second legislature like a senate. Bahonar said in Iran governments wrongly take pride in the fact that they are not backed by any political party.
He said since the French Revolution, France has changed the structure of its republic five times. Bahonar then called on Khamenei to use Article 177 of the constitution to allow a revision of the Constitutional Law through a special assembly or via a referendum.
He also called for the rotation of elites and criticized officials who depart from their seats only when death comes. He blamed them for the low turnout in recent elections in Iran and warned that this is a sign of a decline in the government's social base. Bahonar said experts in the intelligence agencies should probe into the causes of this decline.