According to state media, the Iranian regime has initiated criminal proceedings against Ali Bahremand, the head of the Tehran Confectioners’ Union, following his report of a significant increase in pastry sales during the week of President Ebrahim Raisi’s death. According to the state-run Saham News, Bahremand was summoned to a judicial branch and briefly detained after providing statistical data that showed a 58% rise in pastry sales from May 19 to 25, coinciding with the period when Raisi and several other officials died in a helicopter crash.
Bahremand, in his defense, stated, “I had no ulterior motives. As the union head, it’s my duty to report weekly sales figures based on collected data from all Tehran confectioneries. Although, considering the circumstances, perhaps this particular week’s report could have been withheld.”
The Tehran prosecutor’s office argued that the timing of Bahremand’s report, which highlighted a notable sales increase during national mourning, was perceived as an inappropriate celebration of the tragedy. Despite extensive state-organized mourning events and mobilization efforts to draw crowds for Raisi’s funeral, widespread reports indicate that many Iranians indulged in pastry purchases and celebratory activities, reflecting public sentiment.
Crackdown on Celebrations Over #Raisi’s Death Reflects #Iranian Regime’s Weaknesshttps://t.co/ITg01glLJH
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 25, 2024
Government sources confirmed that authorities issued threats on social media, warning of legal action against anyone displaying joy over the helicopter crash incident. The public prosecutor interpreted Bahremand’s statistical report as a celebration, leading to his immediate court summons and arrest.
Reflecting on the broader public reaction, Bahremand noted, “For six years, our sales were stagnant due to inflation, sanctions, and currency devaluation. Only during the Persian New Year did we see slight improvements. However, from May 19 to 25, there was an unprecedented 58% sales spike, which my colleagues in other cities also reported.”
The court has scheduled the next hearing for Bahremand’s case for Monday, raising further questions about the regime’s stance on public expression and the apparent disconnect between the state’s portrayal of national unity and the actual public sentiment.
Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has asserted that the regime remains stable and has promised swift elections to fill the vacated positions. However, for a regime that perceives its citizens’ joy as a national security threat, such claims of stability seem far-fetched.
