Intelligence Ministry Confirms Arrest of BBC-Affiliated Secret Network http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9006290090

The Iranian intelligence ministry confirmed that its forces have arrested members of a covert network who wired information to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), accusing them of providing logistic support for enemies' soft war experts. The Public Relations Office of the intelligence ministry said in a statement that the individuals were arrested after continued monitoring and controlling measures and massive intelligence gathering inside and outside the country by Iran's intelligence forces in the past few months. The statement added that members of the secret network, some of whom have been arrested during the past few days, were collaborating with the BBC in a cover-up to fulfill the needs of the British secret service in exchange for big sums of money.

The ministry announced that investigations into the case and search for the remaining members of the network are underway, adding that it would release more information on the latest developments in the case in the near future. This is not the first time that Iran is in raw with BBC over the fake reports about social and political realities in Iran. After presidential elections in June 2009, Iran ordered BBC's permanent correspondent in Tehran Jon Leyne to leave the country.

Following broadcast of fake news and change of realities on Iran's 10th presidential elections by the BBC, the Press Bureau of the Iranian Culture Ministry issued a statement to expel the BBC correspondent. "In view of the function and performance of the BBC in distorting and changing realities on Iran's elections, Jon Leyne, the permanent correspondent of the network was expelled," the statement said at the time. Meantime, the statement blamed the BBC reporter for encouraging unrests in Iran and destroying the private properties and public amenities during the days after the election through media tactics and psychological warfare.