Iran: EU sanctions 15 individuals, including interior minister and Pasdaran commanders

Brussels, Jan. 29 (LaPresse) – The EU Council has decided to impose sanctions on 15 individuals and six entities deemed responsible for the brutal repression in Iran. Among them is Iran’s Interior Minister and Head of the National Security Council, Eskandar Momeni. “In this capacity, he controls the Iranian law enforcement forces (LEF), which are responsible for gross and flagrant violations of human rights in the country,” the statement reads. Momeni also holds the position of deputy commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and in this capacity controls various IRGC security forces, including the Basij resistance forces. In this dual role, Momeni is responsible for the repression of protests that has resulted in hundreds of casualties at the hands of various security forces under his control.” Three Revolutionary Guard commanders are also on the list: Haidar Olfati, Morteza Sheikhi, and Seyed Ali-Asghar Pourbehesht. Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi-azad and Public Security Police Chief Seyed Majid Feiz Jafari have also been sanctioned.