According to local sources, the Iranian police are checking mobile phones of people in search of Kurdish symbols at checkpoints outside of Kermanshah, Ciwanro and Selasbavecani towns. Dozens of mobile phones were confiscated after images of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan and flags of YPG, HPG, PJAK and KODAR were found.

The police at Kazanci checkpoint near Kermanshah confiscated 50 mobile phones and broke them all after images of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan were spotted.

There are reports of similar practices in Selasbavecani and Ciwanro. Iranian officials forced families to sign a declaration form that says the family must immediately inform the authorities about the media content on the phones of family members.

A Kurdish citizen, who asked to stay anonymous, said the Iranian officials told him that this practice was a “measure against the enemies of Islamic Republic of Iran.”