Iran’s political turmoil persists. Thousands have been detained and in several cases held incommunicado with families unaware of their whereabouts. This article by Shabnam von Hein is published by Deutsche Welle (DW). Here is an excerpt:

The ongoing nationwide anti-government demonstrations pose one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s clerical regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. 

To quell the protests, authorities have been widening the crackdown, deploying security forces at protests and making arrests of a wide range of Iranians — from lawyers and doctors to rappers.

Relatives of the imprisoned demonstrators are reluctant to talk to foreign media. Speaking to DW on condition of anonymity, some said they don’t talk to journalists for fear of being accused by the Iranian government of acting as “spies” and passing on information to foreigners.

Read full article here.