Iran’s Islamic regime has fired the CEO of MTN Irancell after accusing him of failing to shut down the internet fast enough during nationwide protests.
Alireza Rafiei was dismissed after just one year in the role.
IRGC linked Fars News said he disobeyed orders from security bodies and violated regulations under crisis conditions by delaying blackout orders.
MP Hamid Rasaei publicly complained that the internet was not cut before 10pm on January 8, claiming earlier shutdowns would have reduced casualties.
Critics say this amounts to an admission that blackouts are used to enable killings without witnesses.
NetBlocks confirms Iran is now on day 12 of near total blackout, with the regime testing a heavily filtered intranet modelled on North Korea.
Sources include Iran International and NetBlocks.
