Mass Confession to Treason in Iran

Sorta.

A few days ago, an unknown group started collecting webcam-recorded confessions to efforts to undermine the government of Iran. They’re collected at a website, Watch Me Confess. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sums up:

The concept plays off recent high-profile confessions from some of Iran’s leading reformists, such as former Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi, now facing trial along with more than 100 other defendants. Abtahi reportedly testified that opposition leaders conspired in advance to misrepresent the June vote and prompt people to protest.

Many believe Abtahi’s and others’ public confessions were forced.

The idea appears to have begun with an Iranian comedian, Ebrahim Nabavi, who posted a video of himself playing Abtahi, confessing to various crimes against the state:

An English translation of the routine is here. It starts like this:

I confess that during one of my trips to the holy city of Mecca a dreadful CIA agent contacted me. He introduced himself as Hassan Agha, his fictitious name. I guess his real name was Roger Waters or Michael Laden. “Come on, let’s have a velvet revolution,” he told me, and as you can see (pointing to his green shawl and bracelet) he succeeded in deceiving me. Back then I was an assistant to the President so I asked this CIA guy, “What’s in this for me?” “If you lead the velvet revolution properly we will make you an assistant to the minister”, he replied. “Are you nuts or what? I am the assistant to the President right now!” I said. But Hassan Agha or the CIA agent did not listen to me and went (slap, bang, …. . “Please stop hitting me” … another bandage on his face, with some bruises).

Yes, I definitely accepted his offer, I mean the velvet thing.

According to Watch Me Confess, Nabavi himself was also arrested — out of character — and forced to confess to treason. He fled the country.

(An appearance by the real Ali Abtahi in a recent Daily Show report is here).

The site has archived confessions for the past two days. Below are examples. Foreign Correspondents’ clear favorite is this Israeli woman, who asks that Abtahi be set free because it was she who actually organized the post-election protests that shook the country. It’s hard to say what really sells the confession, but her odd vocal cadence, pulsating camera zooms, heavily-accented English, the fact that she’s Israeli, and no small amount of acting chops suggest a cross between political zealotry and an intense desire to be a reality TV star. She’s the Meryl Streep of forced confession videos, and as far as the performance suggests, barking mad:

For a change of pace, this self-described anti-Iranian operative from Germany, her identity hidden behind a scarf and Santa beard, is more measured and specific. Sadly, she breaks character at the end and gets a bit earnest, but for awhile, it works: