The latest gambit by the Iranian regime in its attempt to squash dissent. In what appears to be a first, they have now seized the Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to Shirin Ebadi. The official justification appears to be back taxes owed for the $1.3 million award, which Ebadi claims is no subject to tax. The regime has now frozen her bank account and may try to seize her home.
Inflicting financial pain is hardly a new tactic for repressive regimes. However, seizing the medal smacks of pettiness that will hold up the Iranian regime to deserved ridicule.