Kioumars Hashemi, the Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth, has appointed a security official as the new CEO of the Sports Facilities Development and Maintenance Company.

Hossein Tala's appointment has sparked criticism due to his involvement in suppressing the 2009 protests as governor of Tehran. The protests erupted following the announcement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory in the presidential elections, amid widespread allegations of electoral irregularities.

His actions during the protests and his alleged involvement in the suppression of dissent led to sanctions imposed by the European Union in 2011.

Before his tenure as governor, Tala held a position as the deputy political officer at the Tharallah headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Tharallah headquarters played a pivotal role in quelling protests and uprisings in Tehran.

The 2009 protests, also known as the Green Movement, marked a significant moment in the country's recent history. Sparked by allegations of election fraud following the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, masses of Iranians took to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with the government.

The protests, which began peacefully, quickly escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in numerous deaths and arrests. The Green Movement represented a broad coalition of Iranians from various socio-economic backgrounds, united in their demand for political reform, transparency, and respect for human rights.

Despite the government's harsh crackdown on dissent, the 2009 protests symbolized a growing desire for change among Iranians disillusioned with the ruling regime. The use of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook played a crucial role in organizing and spreading information about the protests, despite government attempts to suppress communication channels.