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Rouhani government criticizes IRGC arrests of journalists

Members of President Hassan Rouhani's Cabinet have voiced criticism over the arrests of journalists and activists.
Iran's Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi, a candidate for upcoming vote on the Assembly of Experts, speaks during a campaign gathering of candidates mainly close to the reformist camp, in Tehran February 23, 2016.  REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA  ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY.   - RTX287BE

Members of President Hassan Rouhani's Cabinet have publicly criticized the recent arrests of Reformist journalists and online activists on the threshold of a presidential election.

"From the beginning, the administration has been opposed to the arrests of account managers of Telegram channels and continues to be," said Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi to reporters April 5 after a Cabinet meeting. Telegram is a widely popular messaging service in Iran with users in the tens of millions.

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