Iran turns to Hells Angels and other criminal gangs to target critics | Hacker News Reader

Iran turns to Hells Angels and other criminal gangs to target critics

washingtonpost.com

20 pointspinewurst13 comments

> Iran’s alleged reliance on criminals rather than covert operatives underscored an alarming evolution in tactics

It might be new for the Iranian regime, but it's very old in general. For example it jogs my personal memory of a 1989 fiction book:

> "Oh, no. The Cetegandan Embassy is sub-contracting my assassination now? I suppose it makes sense. Galeni said they were understaffed. But do you realize—" he rose and began to pace in his agitation, "this means I could be attacked again from any quarter. Anywhere, any time. By totally un-personally-motivated strangers."

> "A security nightmare," she agreed.

-- Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold

"Hell's Angels" isn't actually still a thing, is it? Like I just presumed they just melted into boomer Harley Davidson whatever clubs?

The only thing those people melt into are prison populations and early graves, it’s a (loose) international crime organization and very much still active especially in the EU and Australia IIRC.

Scare quotes on people? I know I’m a bit sensitive to dehumanization, but really?

You don’t think they have built that public image themselves?

If we are to dehumanize career criminals, there are countless thugs, gangs, despots, governments, and militaries with far fewer scruples and a far worse legacy than the Hell’s Angels.

but the point is, dehumanization is anathema to civilized society.

Sorry, it’s more flair than anything. I don’t think they specifically are realistically at risk of that, but I get it re: crime as a whole

Cool - no worries. Pardon if that sounded like an accusation.

My understanding is they're one of the few groups still manufacturing LSD these days. I met a guy many years ago who allegedly was in with them and that was the explanation for why he had an entire vial full of LSD he was handing out like candy.

Is this the media doing disinformation service for the US imperialism, based on flimsy evidence (or fabricated evidence)?

Can you rephrase your comment as a statement?

As-is, I feel it resembles a rhetorical strategy which is sometimes derisively called "JAQing off."

Exactly what evidence are you suggesting is "fabricated"?

Is there any claim in the article you think is staged?

Do you think the Iranian journalist who claims to have been stabbed wasn't really stabbed?

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