Exactly. It is really foolish to pretend to have a gun.
He looks worried because he is being phtographed. He is now rather certain to be recognized, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp.
The people behind him have a few rocks to throw. Again, this is totally inadequate weaponry.
Tragically, you are right. This Iranian was merely photographed on The Economist's front page in 1999, and it cost him 9 years of torture in prison before his release.