Ali Mozaffari, head of Iran’s Judiciary in East Azerbaijan announced that Ettelaat, Iran’s Intelligence agency has arrested 6 members of “GAMO” which he described as “a clandestine separatist group”. He alleged that sensitive documents and information were seized from the group members.
According to Mozaffari, “the group was providing “enemies” with military and economic intelligence.” However, Mozaffari has not released any information about identity of the group members.

It is believed that “GAMO” is “Guney Azerbaycan Milli Ordusu” in English: The National Army of South Azerbaijan. Such a group manifested itself a couple months earlier calling for use of non-peaceful methods as necessary to free South Azerbaijan from Iran’s occupation.

It is feared that the GAMO members are being subjected to the harshest interrogation techniques including torture.

Last week Mr. Rezayi the director Ettelaat of East Azerbaijan made a comment about civil right activities in South Azerbaijan and said that the government “has no issue” with “identity strugglers” however, a fine line should be drawn between “identity struggle” and separatism and that the government will not tolerate separatist activities in Azerbaijan. He warned that the separatist will be prosecuted and harshly punished. South Azerbaijani national activists are described as “identity struggles” who are struggling to preserve the ethnic identity of Azerbaijanis within Iran’s jurisdiction.