How Iran's elite forces 'mold the minds of the young cadets'
Months of correspondence with two high-ranking defectors have given DW's investigative unit a rare look at the mindset of the regime's loyal servants — and revealed a clandestine circle that allegedly plots murders.
Omid, a defector from Iran's elite special forces, revealed the regimented lives of young cadets in the regime's security apparatus. From military training to daily prayers and speeches, cadets' "minds were molded" by the regime, according to Omid. He was among those who later rose through the ranks, joining the elite cadre of officers involved in missions, abductions, and assassinations.
Omid provided DW with records, photos, and videos of his training, as well as details of secret monitoring centers and housing compounds reserved for high-ranking members of the security forces. Both Omid and another defector, Reza, who worked for Iran's Information Ministry, shared their experiences with DW, shedding light on the regime's control and indoctrination methods.
Despite facing strict monitoring, Omid and Reza chose to speak with DW due to the regime's ongoing brutality and mass killings of protesters, which deeply affected them.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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