As part of its campaign against government critics, Iran’s judiciary has seized thousands of bank accounts and dozens of vehicles belonging to almost 400 people, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the prosecutor’s office in Tehran.
A total of 2,191 bank accounts and 39 vehicles were seized, according to the report, with the judiciary labelling the owners enemies of the state.
The judiciary alleged that those targeted had cooperated with the enemy and “counter-revolutionary forces.”
It was initially unclear over what period the measures were taken. Government opponents are said to have previously been stripped of 143 properties.
No detailed information was provided on identities. However, Tasnim reported that media workers reporting for exiled outlets were also affected.
Assets belonging to “activists and operators of hostile media” and “treacherous personalities” abroad had been seized, according to the report.
Only last week, Iranian media reported a new online portal for reporting alleged critics abroad. The aim of the “Alaj” (Healing) surveillance system is to identify “traitors.”
The war involving Iran has heightened mistrust within Iranian society, although it remains unclear how widely the portal will be used.
FILE PHOTO – A view of the skyline of Tehran, at dusk. (is associated with: «Iran seizes assets from hundreds it deems enemies of the state») Arne Immanuel Bänsch/dpa