News Update - December 31, 2009

I want to wish you all a happy new year. May it be a great year, and may those of you in Iran have what you are struggling for very soon. :)

Live-blog: Iran, December 31, 2009

News Links

UK Diminishes Iran Involvement in Iraq Kidnaps

Iran blames PMOI for Mousavi death

Amid crackdown, Iran wages war on 'star students'

Exiled shah's son urges protest against Iran

IRGC around AUT's "Asari" & "Ansar" dorms. Possibility of an attack.

Iran is crippled by conspiracy theories

My Friend Vanished in Iran

New Year's Eve Clashes in Streets of Iran

Tehran Police: Video of police car running over people is fake!

Parliament calls for arrest of Moussavi, two other opposition leaders

Petraeus suspects Moore was held in Iran

Mahathir: US preparing for attack on Iran

Obama 'bearing witness' is crucial to Iran

Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli issues statement critical of gov actions on Ashura (Farsi)

Troops Reportedly Move into Tehran Ahead of Opposition Rally

State Prosecutor Threatens Opposition with Trials

Khamenei May Escape to Russia if Necessary: The Jerusalem PostWhether it is genuine or not, a document detailing

Disappearance of Mousavi and Karoubi Lifts Protest Movement

Iran Opposition Leaders Face Threat of Prosecution

The Iranian Regime Seeking To Smuggle Raw Uranium

Thousands visited the grave of Mousavi's nephew in Behesht Zahra to pay respect today. (Farsi)

Police attacking protesters, arresting many in Valiasr Sq

Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei loves caviar and vulgar jokes, defector claims

Iranian authorities demand halt to protests

Iran's mullahs could fold under new demands for justice

AP Interview: Shah's son wants UN probe in Iran

Video of Attack on Protester Is a Fake, Iranian Police Say

Iran: Students Attacked in Mashhad Open University

UN human rights chief shocked by violence in Iran, urges government to rein in security forces

From Tweets

President Mousavi: I am ready to be martyred just like others, we all have the same blood and we fight for freedom.

- Enghelab st. towards the universities anyone who stops gets beaten. I've also heard south of Tehran is busy.

- VOA caller: Yesterday people were told they would get bags of rice, etc. for attending the pro-coup rally.

- Another VOA caller says in villages money & large cans of vegetable oil etc. were distributed.

- Clashes continue as people are returning from Behesht Zahra cemetery. A few of the wounded are taken to Ebn-e-Sina.

- Masked anti-riot guards & plain cloths are all around Daneshjoo park. They don't allow people to gather.

- There have been clashes at Behesht Zahra. A few of the wounded were taken to Farabi hospital. Police are there.

- Reports: Winding-sheets are being distributed to Basijis to wear in a rally planned for tomorrow (Friday).

- ePersian Radio: New SIM cards not released to people. Mobiles are receiving threats from "telecom's security".

- IRGC riot police are in main squares of Tehran. It is reported a large crowd is in Behesht Zahra cemetery.

- Shahrokh Rahmani hit by police car at Valiasr on Ashura, he was buried yesterday, family told not to talk.

- Sharif UNI student Nafiseh Asghari summoned by Intel on Tuesday, she has not be heard from since.

- Children's rights advocate activist Maryam Zia was arrested this morning.

- Norooz reports heavy presence of anti-riot units at Vanak, Enghelab & Valiasr SQ & all roads leading to them.

- 1/2 Intel Ministry has asked people to send them videos & pix of what they call rioters.

- 2/2 With Intel's new action it is all the more important to cover face totally at protests.

- HRNA warns another site with similar name & look has become active, HRNA denies any connection with that site.

- Human Rights News Agency warns their site has been under heavy cyber attacked last 3 months.

- Leily Afshar was abducted in Iran today :( Please let us know if you know about her whereabouts.

- Quiet rally in Rasht: Thursday 5-7pm Sabze Meydan to the city hall & Falake Seyghalan.

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