The death of President Ebrahim Raisi, who died following a helicopter crash on Sunday, has split Iranian public opinion.
On the one hand, the population faithful to the dictates of the Islamic Republic is expressing their condolences both on social media and by participating in the commemoration events organized in various cities. Like in Tabriz, where thousands of people gathered for a public ceremony of condolence, awaiting the funeral, which will be held on May 23 in Mashhad, Raisi's hometown, in the north-east of the country.
On the other hand, however, messages are multiplying on social media where Raisi is harshly criticized and where his role in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in the 1980s and in the violent repression of anti-government protests is recalled. And there is no shortage of posts where jubilation and satisfaction are even expressed for the president's tragic fate.
For this reason, Iranian Attorney General Mohammad Kazem Movahhedi Azad has ordered a crackdown on users who publish online insults against the late president and the others who died in the helicopter crash.
According to the BBC, Azad began calling for the arrests of dissident voices immediately after Raisi's death was officially confirmed.
(Unioneonline/lf)
