Journalists at BBC Persian says they are scared to go out alone as UK counter-terrorism police raise security levels and staff warned: ‘we can do whatever we want in London’

In one message, an Iranian-British journalist working for the BBC says she was told: “On Westminster Bridge is a very deep river. It doesn’t matter that you don’t live in Iran – we can also do whatever we want in London.”

In October 2022, the Iranian foreign affairs ministry named BBC Persian in a list of organisations and people sanctioned for “deliberate actions in support of terrorism, incitement of violence, and human rights abuses”.

The scale of intimidation faced by BBC staff in London has given an insight into how the Iranian regime’s use of violence and blackmail extends to the UK.

  • talEnglish
    142·
    1 year ago

    It doesn’t matter that you don’t live in Iran – we can also do whatever we want in London

    I mean, sure. Iran can probably assassinate BBC staff in London. One can do a lot with first-mover advantage. Russia could probably have Biden killed if it wanted to, personal security or no.

    It’s just that what’s going to happen afterwards to the assassinating country makes the action not likely worthwhile. Like, if you have surprise available to you, is what you want to expend it on really assassinating BBC staff?

      • dingleberry@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        141·
        1 year ago

        Russia killed a former Russian in UK. Kim Jong had his cousin killed in Japan (?) as well. Just weeks back India killed a Canadian. Don’t know why people think their lives matter more than two countries “relations”.

    • Hyperreality@kbin.social
      72·
      1 year ago

      Also, what do you gain by assassinating a BBC journalist?

      They’ll be replaced and at the very least the PR fallout will be negative.