Masaf Institute

The Masaf Institute is an organisation founded in 2011 by Ali Akbar Raefipour. The Masaf Institute plays a key role in silencing political opposition, by engaging in “doxxing” and smear campaigns against anti-regime Iranians. It develops pro-regime cyber armies, orchestrates online attacks and disseminates disinformation, with the aim of identifying political dissenters. It has been involved in coordinated “doxxing” campaigns led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), leading to the detention of political dissenters. The Masaf Institute serves as a propaganda outlet for the Islamic Republic through the use of multiple tools, such as video clips, documentaries, short films, games, software, music, graphics, cartoons, illustrations and analysis of political events. In doing so, the Masaf Institute is violating the rights to freedom of information, assembly and expression of the Iranian people. The Masaf Institute is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.