The head of judiciary openly defended the blockage of Telegram. He admitted that Iranian regime’s officials expect that this network would cooperate with them.
IRNA state-run News Agency wrote on May 7, 2018:
On Monday Sadegh Larijani, the head of Judiciary talked about the recent blockage of Telegram in a meeting with high judiciary officials. He said: “Judiciary has taken step in favor of the people’s rights in this regard and in other cases.”
Describing the reason of this blockage he cited: “I won’t enter political discussions in this case because I find it against the country’s unity.”
“We made contact with Telegram officials and asked them to help us in identifying the criminals and in introducing them to us, but we received none,” added Larijani.
Larijani continued: “About the blockage of Telegram we don’t have any ratification endorsed by the Supreme Leader that would say do not block (network) messengers.”
A statement issued by Culture and Media Court, had been previously announced the filtering of Telegram from Monday, April 30, 2018. The statement mentioned the usage of Telegram by the regime’s dissidents during national protests in January and added that several cases have been opened against this social network. The statement also said Telegram has acted against the monetary and bank rules and regulations of Islamic Republic of Iran. The court also said that Telegram has not complied with the rules of Islamic Republic.
