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Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

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31–40 of 119 posts

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#32

When it comes to Iranian government, there are two types of people that run it. First group are the fanatic idiots who consider themselves at war with the west. They see anyone who who is not aligned with their view as enemy and therefore must be removed/killed. The second group are opportunists who probably have assets abroad and will do and say anything to stay in power as long as possible to milk every last penny.…

[deleted]

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#33
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At the very least, we can assist Iranian citizens in evading digital censorship and surveillance.

That's not their problem. Their problem is an oppressive government and people who can't get organized enough to make a difference, very similar to the US. No one outside of Iran can solve their problems for them, just like no one outside of the US can solve US problems.

> Their problem is an oppressive government and people who can't get organized enough to make a difference, very similar to the US.

Thanks for bringing the parallels in the US to my attention. Really, I had no idea that the US was so similar to Iran. You are doing this this topic a great service by not using hyperbole.

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#34
I'm following the protests. I'm not sure why a cruel and sadistic minority can run a country, but it happens. I'm inclined to wonder why the US military, pulling out, didn't arm every woman and intellectual in the country. I won't forget his name.

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#35
post #30

This thread will make things worse. When you raise a person's profile, the state won't stand idly by. You will end up with another Assange or Snowden. If this thread snowballs, the Iranian government will make an example out of him purely for the sake of it. In other words, your virtue signaling is going to get him killed. If you truly care, for whatever reason, reach out to your contacts in the country and grease a…

Wrong! the regime in Iran is terrorist. They have no mercy. Negotiating/bribing will not work. The only thing they understand is international pressure and money.

Source: I am an Iranian

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#36
post #3

How can we help?

This is the right question. Are people in his situation ever set free? What is the most common way this occurs? We can’t invade Iran. Do they ever bow to social pressure of any kind? Is there some other form of pressure or influence that can be exerted to secure his release? OP you know the terrain and norms there better than us. So how can we help?

We are talking about a ruthless government, which is hard to predict, but what has been proven in the past is that being not famous or not covering by the media can end very badly [0]. On the other hand, raising awareness in the past has saved people's lives. An example I remember was physics researcher Omid Kokabi [1], who was finally released from Evin prison after years of pressure from the international community.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattar_Beheshti

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omid_Kokabee

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the right question. Are people in his situation ever set free? What is the most common way this occurs? We can’t invade Iran. Do they ever bow to social pressure of any kind? Is there some other form of pressure or influence that can be exerted to secure his release? OP you know the terrain and norms there better than us. So how can we help?

There is nothing anyone here can do about the situation.

The US, or Israel, or Saudi could probably negotiate a prisoner release. However, the price could be releasing some Iranian who's imprisoned there, at the very least.

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#38
post #3

How can we help?

This is the right question. Are people in his situation ever set free? What is the most common way this occurs? We can’t invade Iran. Do they ever bow to social pressure of any kind? Is there some other form of pressure or influence that can be exerted to secure his release? OP you know the terrain and norms there better than us. So how can we help?

Yes. Media attention does bring a level of accountability and pressure to the system and in cases has pressed them into a little more transparent due process.

Re: Tell HN: A hacker's life is in danger, your awareness may be life saving

#40
Please do not do this. There is nothing that anyone on HN can do to help, and raising awareness may bring undue attention from the Iranian authorities. Although I'm sure this wasn't your intent, this thread amounts to rubbernecking of an incarcerated man in a perilous situation.
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