Starlink Terminals Deemed Illegal In Iran

Iranian authorities have continued to imprison individuals accused of defying the government by owning Starlink devices. A former political prisoner reported that food and medicine levels are low in the prisons. The prisoner stated the regime is taking revenge on people due to feeling powerless and angry following recent attacks. These arrests have occurred over the past weeks. Individuals are being accused of defying the government for owning Starlink devices, communicating with foreign news organizations, or celebrating airstrikes. One musician was arrested following protests in January and his current prison location remains unknown to his family, according to the source. The source noted the individual was only able to make a 15-second phone call to his mother. Access to the internet is reportedly impossible without Starlink in certain areas. Users, buyers, and sellers of the devices face prison terms. Human rights advocates state the devices allow Iranians to bypass state-controlled internet to share evidence of arrests and killings with the international community.