Former Iranian intelligence minister accuses UK of acid attacks on women

Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 30

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

Former Iranian minister of intelligence, Heydar Moslehi has claimed that foreign intelligence services are behind the recent acid attacks on women in Iran's central Isfahan city, Iran's Fars news agency reported Oct. 30.

He said that it is not the coincidence that the acid attacks and the proposal of the "enjoining good and forbidding wrong" bill in the country's parliament happened about at the same time.

"Enjoining good and forbidding wrong", or promotion of virtue and prevention of vice is an Islamic doctrine mentioned in the Quran.

The bill which was submitted by hardliners in Iran's parliament would legalize vigilantes who patrol the streets and warn others about their behavior.

The former intelligence minister called the acid attacks as a part of conspiracy to confront the "enjoining good and forbidding wrong" doctrine.

"The intelligence services of the UK are behind the conspiracy," he said.

It should be noted that in the last weeks at least seven women became victims of acid attacks by unknown motorcyclists. The latest incident happened on the night of Oct. 15. Unknown persons on motorcycles threw acid at her while she was in her car. The attacks have left some of the victims badly burned, disfigured, and blind.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, following the incidents, urged the relevant government structures to handle the acid attack cases.

Some people claimed on social networks said that the reason for these acid attacks were the fault of the women, who violated the Islamic dress code in the city. The attacks have sparked outrage and fear among many Iranians who last week took to the streets of Isfahan and Tehran to protest and call for government action.

In recent days, some Iranian officials have warned the media over their coverage of the crimes, accusing them of promoting the "views of the enemy."