TEHRAN: Iran’s official news agency says authorities have detained the daughter of influential ex-president and political centrist Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
The Sunday report by IRNA says Tehran’s judiciary department took Faezeh Hashemi into custody late Saturday to serve a six-month sentence on charges of making propaganda against the ruling system.
Earlier this year a court convicted her and banned her from political activity for five years. Her lawyer said the accusations were related to interviews she gave to news websites.
Since the disputed reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009, in which Rafsanjani supported Ahmadinejad’s reformist challenger, his family has come under pressure from hard-liners.
In recent months, there are indications that the 78-year-old former president, who favors a more moderated approach to the West, may be making a political comeback.
Iran detains centrist ex-president’s daughter
Iran detains centrist ex-president’s daughter
Syrian authorities bust smuggling ring, tighten border controls
- Smugglers' boat collides with rocks as it attempted to flee pursuing as Coast Guard vessels
- The boat was about to illegally transport passengers from the Syrian coast of Tartus coast to Cyprus
DAMASCUS: Syrian Coast Guard forces have arrested members of a human smuggling network operating in the western town of Tartus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday.
Authorities pounced on the smugglers as they were about to transport passengers from the Tartus coast to Cyprus by illegal means, the state media said, citing a statement from the General Authority of Ports and Customs.
"The operation resulted in the arrest of all those involved, including the organizers of the trip," said the report, adding that the smugglers' boat attempted to escape as Coast Guard vessels surrounded it, but collided with rocks.
No details were made available on how many suspects were arrested and how many passengers were rescued. Criminal charges are being prepared against the arrested suspects, SANA said.
New restrictions on commercial transit
In a separate move to regulate trade and border security, the ports and customs authority has issued a new policy restricting truck access at land crossings and seaports.
Commercial trucks will now only be permitted entry for loading or unloading upon presentation of an original receipt from the Ministry of Transport’s freight office.
The transfer of cargo between Syrian and non-Syrian vehicles must now take place strictly within designated customs yards at border crossings.
Trucks passing through Syria in transit remain permitted, provided they are under a mandatory customs escort between entry and exit points.
