Mullahs' regime extorts the public

The clerical regime's Organization for Implementation of State Punishments announced that 120 of its mobile and fixed branches have fined "offenders" 1,000 billion rials (or $200 million based on free market exchange rate) for "overcharging and shortchanging consumers," the state radio and television reported.

The clerical regime has thus resorted to astronomical extortions from the public under the pretext of "overcharging" to fill its empty coffers, while it is beset by irremediable economic crises, oil prices have plunged and the exchange rate for rial has dropped. The dramatic amount of fines ($200 mil. in just four days) has been unprecedented to date, and will lead only to more poverty, and further inflation and high prices.

Mr. Massoud Rajavi, President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, said this inhuman measure by Khatami's government against a populace 80% of whom are living below the poverty line, indicates the regime's desperation in resolving its deepening economic crisis. Mr. Rajavi called on the nation to protest and resist against such extortions which affect the deprived sectors more than any one else.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
March 27, 1998

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