Iran Security Forces Establish Checkpoints Across Tabriz, Lawyer Reports

Human rights lawyer Sina Yousefi reported on social media on Monday, January 19, that the security situation in Tabriz has intensified.

According to Yousefi, security forces have set up checkpoints on many of the city's main streets, where they are conducting vehicle searches and inspecting passengers' mobile phones, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.

Sina Yousefi wrote that in Tabriz, security forces are now randomly checking the contents of citizens’ mobile phones: “According to local sources, security agents are thoroughly inspecting various apps, including photo galleries, Instagram, and WhatsApp.”

The lawyer also reported that security agencies have contacted certain “citizens who posted supportive content on social media during the initial days of the protests, prior to the internet blackout.” He added: “These individuals have been summoned through these calls and, in some cases, have been threatened with arrest.”

According to received reports, a pervasive security atmosphere has taken hold in various cities across Iran following the unprecedented crackdown on protests, particularly after the nights of Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9. Similar reports have been received from other cities indicating the deployment of security forces and the establishment of checkpoints within cities or at the entrances of various districts.

Reports say a heavy security presence has spread across several cities in Iran after the unprecedented crackdown on protests, especially following the nights of Thursday and Friday, January 8 and 9. Similar reports from other cities describe security forces being deployed and checkpoints being set up inside cities and at the entrances to different districts.