The Iranian opposition news outlet IranWire has reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to abduct Babak Yitzchaki, an Israeli reporter working for Iran International.
According to the details in the report, Iran attempted to use Mohammad Hawashmazada, a former political prisoner who is currently detained in Armenia, to trick Babak and another journalist into traveling to the Turkish city of Van. From there, they were to be transported to Tehran. However, the plan was thwarted when Hawashmazada and his fellow prisoner refused to participate, citing their personal relationship with Babak.
Babak shared his thoughts with Kan, saying, “Iran International is the free voice of independent news in Iran, and for over seven years, my colleagues and I have been reporting the truth of what is happening in Israel to the Iranian people without censorship. This, of course, greatly angers the Iranian regime, which does not want the people to know the truth.”
He further emphasized, “Neither threats nor acts of terror will stop our revelation of the truth,” pointing out that he is an Israeli citizen and has full confidence in the security services of Israel to protect him and safeguard the freedom of the press. “Threats against me are threats against all journalists who uphold free journalism, and I expect all journalistic organizations to issue a statement condemning attacks and threats by the Iranian regime against journalists,” he concluded.
{Matzav.com Israel}