Since Salas’ execution in May 2018, that was the fourth time that his memorial was vandalized. The Islamic Republic government has promoted the infamous practice of destroying the cemeteries of its non-followers, including political opponents and religious minorities. In 2016, the gravestone of another Gonabadi Dervish was also broken by unkwon people.

After the government witnessed Gonabadi Dervishes’ mobilization capabilities during the Kovar incident in 2011, its propaganda apparatus intensified attacks against Gonabadi Dervishes through numerous websites, such as Ferghe News, Sofiye News, Feragh va Adyan, 313adine, Afsar-e Jang Narm, Mouood, and also the Institute of Strategic Studies of Islamic Sciences and Education. Roshanai.ir, one of these semi-news outlets reported that “revolutionary people” removed the specific Dervishes’ insignia from the gravestone of a Gonabadi Dervish in Sarvestan city, Fars Province, in April 2016.