Latest news with #HusseinBaoumi
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Iran Escalates Crackdown on Accused Israeli Spies With Mass Raid
At least two people have been killed and more than 50 more arrested in a security raid by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which said it targeted Israeli-linked "terrorists," Iran's state-run media reported. The arrests are a sign of the uncertainty felt by Iran's security establishment after the Israeli and U.S. attacks. Authorities have escalated a security crackdown on alleged Mossad agents following the 12-day conflict in which Israel attacked nuclear and military sites across the country, killing top commanders and scientists. Israel has claimed widespread infiltration into Iranian territory and deemed it crucial for precision strikes during June's 'Operation Rising Lion' in which Iranian air defenses were effectively neutralized. IRGC ground forces along with security and intelligence agencies conducted the raids in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan under an operation named 'Martyrs of Security', the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The IRGC did not clarify how two people were killed during the raids. It added that large amounts of weapons, including arms made in the United States, were found in the possession of those arrested. At least six people had been executed up until last week on charges linked to espionage, such as smuggling equipment and aiding operations targeting major Iranian infrastructure, and 700 arrested, according to state media reports. Human rights groups say Iran has one of the highest records of executions. Amnesty International described executions over accusations of espionage for Israel as "arbitrary" and called on the government to halt them. An Israeli security source told Reuters that the strikes on Iran were supported by years of intelligence work by the military and Mossad. In Israel, police arrested five people suspected of spying for Iran, Yedioth Ahronoth's news outlet reported Tuesday. Iran's outlet IRNA, citing IRGC statement: "The arrested individuals are affiliated with terrorist groups based in the eastern part of the country. Their operational objectives included spreading insecurity throughout the southern province and executing disruptive acts against infrastructure and economic sectors." Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, on June 20: "Official calls for expediated trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instil fear among the people of Iran. The authorities must ensure all those detained are protected from enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and afforded fair trials at all times, including during armed conflict." Authorities say they will continue hunting down more "potential accomplices," according to IRNA. Related Articles Iran Ready to Enrich Uranium Up to Bomb-Grade Levels: "We Can Do That"Iran Confirms Significant Nuclear DecisionWhile World Watches Iran, Putin Makes Headway in UkraineNew Satellite Image Shows U.S. Aircraft Carrier Deployed Near Iran 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Escalates Crackdown on Accused Israeli Spies With Mass Raid
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At least two people have been killed and more than 50 more arrested in a security raid by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which said it targeted Israeli-linked "terrorists," Iran's state-run media reported. Why It Matters The arrests are a sign of the uncertainty felt by Iran's security establishment after the Israeli and U.S. attacks. Authorities have escalated a security crackdown on alleged Mossad agents following the 12-day conflict in which Israel attacked nuclear and military sites across the country, killing top commanders and scientists. Israel has claimed widespread infiltration into Iranian territory and deemed it crucial for precision strikes during June's 'Operation Rising Lion' in which Iranian air defenses were effectively neutralized. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know IRGC ground forces along with security and intelligence agencies conducted the raids in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan under an operation named 'Martyrs of Security', the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The IRGC did not clarify how two people were killed during the raids. It added that large amounts of weapons, including arms made in the United States, were found in the possession of those arrested. At least six people had been executed up until last week on charges linked to espionage, such as smuggling equipment and aiding operations targeting major Iranian infrastructure, and 700 arrested, according to state media reports. Human rights groups say Iran has one of the highest records of executions. Amnesty International described executions over accusations of espionage for Israel as "arbitrary" and called on the government to halt them. An Israeli security source told Reuters that the strikes on Iran were supported by years of intelligence work by the military and Mossad. In Israel, police arrested five people suspected of spying for Iran, Yedioth Ahronoth's news outlet reported Tuesday. What People Are Saying Iran's outlet IRNA, citing IRGC statement: "The arrested individuals are affiliated with terrorist groups based in the eastern part of the country. Their operational objectives included spreading insecurity throughout the southern province and executing disruptive acts against infrastructure and economic sectors." Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, on June 20: "Official calls for expediated trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instil fear among the people of Iran. The authorities must ensure all those detained are protected from enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and afforded fair trials at all times, including during armed conflict." What Happens Next Authorities say they will continue hunting down more "potential accomplices," according to IRNA.
American Military News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Iran Detains Hundreds On Suspicion Of Spying For Israel
This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission. Iranian security forces have detained more than 700 people on suspicion of spying for Israel, according to the Fars News Agency. Fars, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said the arrests have taken place since June 13, when Israel launched a broad air campaign targeting Iranian military, nuclear, and government-related sites and figures. Iran says more than 600 people were killed — a figure that has not been independently verified — in the strikes, including civilians. In response, Iranian retaliatory attacks reportedly killed dozens of Israelis, among them civilians. Fars referred to the detainees as 'mercenaries,' despite none having been formally charged or tried. It also claimed they 'were mainly operating within espionage and sabotage networks' and were 'identified and arrested based on tip-offs and intelligence operations.' The arrests come amid a period of heightened security concerns inside Iran. In recent years, Israel is widely believed to have carried out a series of high-profile assassinations and sabotage missions deep within Iran, revealing significant infiltration of the country's security and intelligence services. These breaches have triggered purges, internal investigations, and growing mistrust within Iran's security institutions. Since the onset of the current conflict, which paused following a U.S.-brokered cease-fire on June 24, Iran has also accelerated the execution of prisoners convicted of collaborating with Israel — actions condemned by rights groups including Amnesty International. 'Official calls for expedited trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instill fear among the people of Iran,' Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said in a June 21 statement. 'A rush to execute people after torture-tainted 'confessions' and grossly unfair trials would be a horrifying abuse of power and a blatant assault on the right to life,' he added.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU issues list of 'safe countries' for migrant returns that includes Egypt, Tunisia
By Amina Ismail (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday included countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, where human rights have come under scrutiny, on a list of "safe countries" to which failed asylum seekers could be returned. The EU list, criticised by human rights groups, would allow "member states to process asylum claims of nationals from countries on the list in an accelerated procedure, on the basis that their claims are unlikely to be successful," the Commission said in a statement. Despite a 38% drop in illegal migrant entries to the EU last year - to the lowest level since 2021 - immigration remains a highly sensitive issue among the bloc's 27 member states. The list of "safe countries of origin", which includes Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Kosovo, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, can be expanded or reviewed over time. The concept of safe countries in asylum procedures "may lead to discrimination among refugees based on their country of nationality and detract from an individualised assessment," said Hussein Baoumi, a foreign policy specialist at Amnesty International in Brussels. "The EU must ensure that groups at specific risk in each country, for example political opponents, LGBTI individuals, journalists and human rights defenders are clarified, while also enhancing engagement with listed countries to address human rights concerns," he added. The proposal is an amendment to the Asylum Procedures Regulation that is part of the EU migration pact adopted in 2023 and due to take effect in 2026. It still requires approval from the European Parliament and EU governments. In March, the Commission introduced new rules on migrant returns, which drew a significant backlash from rights groups who said they could lead to human rights violations.
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
EU issues list of 'safe countries' for migrant returns that includes Egypt, Tunisia
April 16 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday included countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, where human rights have come under scrutiny, on a list of "safe countries" to which failed asylum seekers could be returned. The EU list, criticised by human rights groups, would allow "member states to process asylum claims of nationals from countries on the list in an accelerated procedure, on the basis that their claims are unlikely to be successful," the Commission said in a statement. Despite a 38% drop in illegal migrant entries to the EU last year - to the lowest level since 2021 - immigration remains a highly sensitive issue among the bloc's 27 member states. The list of "safe countries of origin", which includes Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Kosovo, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, can be expanded or reviewed over time. The concept of safe countries in asylum procedures "may lead to discrimination among refugees based on their country of nationality and detract from an individualised assessment," said Hussein Baoumi, a foreign policy specialist at Amnesty International in Brussels. "The EU must ensure that groups at specific risk in each country, for example political opponents, LGBTI individuals, journalists and human rights defenders are clarified, while also enhancing engagement with listed countries to address human rights concerns," he added. The proposal is an amendment to the Asylum Procedures Regulation that is part of the EU migration pact adopted in 2023 and due to take effect in 2026. It still requires approval from the European Parliament and EU governments. In March, the Commission introduced new rules on migrant returns, which drew a significant backlash from rights groups who said they could lead to human rights violations.
