More "Spies" Arrested In Paranoid Iran- 5 Employees In Tehran Office Of Swedish Makeup Firm Arrested

There seems to be an increasing sense of paranoia within the Iranian government. Apparently, they think that anyone and everyone is a spy, when there is no compelling evidence to prove so. They arrested as spies three young U.S. hikers, who stupidly wandered into Iran. Without actual proof that they were spies, the three kids are still languishing in jail, in spite of the many appeals for their release. What threat did they pose? And who and what were they spying for? It's just another lame excuse to arrest innocent foreigners.

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Now, the latest spy threat comes from a Swedish company (Oriflame), a firm that manufactures natural makeup. Yes, indeed, 5 employees of the Iranian office of Oriflame (in Tehran) have been arrested as alleged spies.

Heydar Moslehi, Iran's Intelligence Minister said,

"Oriflame intended to fight the (Iranian) system. There are no economic reasons behind the company," Moslehi was quoted by the website as telling reporters at the Imam Khomeini mausoleum in Tehran.

"We realized through the evidence that the arrogance (Western powers) and intelligence agencies sought to create security problems for the country through this company," he said.

No economic reasons behind the company? Then why did they allow them to set up office to begin with if there was no economic reason? Oriflame is quite obviously a multi-level marketing company (if you check out their website), like Mary Kay Cosmetics and Avon, with offices around the world, including Russia and Thailand. And I suppose Oriflame there to spy on those countries as well? The office in Tehran was shuttered on August 22, by Iranian authorities (and the address has since been removed from the Oriflame website). The office employees were arrested

...amid allegations in Iran that it was running a pyramid scheme and was possibly backed by a spy agency.

One of those detained is a dual Swedish-Iranian national.

Surely, the Iranian authorities would have investigated the whole direct-sales aspect before they allowed them to set up office in Tehran, and if it was illegal Oriflame should never have been allowed to establish business there in the first place. The spy allegations are just bogus. But supposedly, this isn't the first company to be charged with spying.

Moslehi's latest charge comes just days after he accused firms like Oriflame of being backed by spy agencies.

"These companies operate with outside support and are not engaged in economic activities. They are under the guidance of spy agencies," he said on Wednesday.

Oriflame said last Monday that it had received no explanation from Iranian authorities about the closure and arrests but believed they may be linked to its business model.

Why can't the Iranian authorities just be upfront and fess up to having screwed up about allowing a 'pyramid-scheme' company to operate inside their country, rather than blaming it on being spies. And if they do believe they are spies, maybe the whole Iranian government needs to be given some anti-psychotic drugs to stop the paranoia. Or maybe they just need to get a life. Or better yet, regime change for the good of the majority of the Iranian people, and the rest of the world.