News Update - March 30, 2010

Rahana is in need of translators

News Links

Detained Baha’i Payam Fanaian sentenced to six years in prison

Pressures Continue for Koohyar Goodarzi

Prison Authorities to Behrooz Javid Tehrani: Stay in the “doghouse” or be transferred to cell occupied by murderers

Iran: The Green Movement’s Next Steps

Afghan immigrants arrested in post-election unrest remain in Evin

An Administration Plagued by Fraud and Corruption

Kurdish Citizen shot dead by Police

Missing Iranian scientist defects to US

Evin Officials Ignore Terrible Conditions at Women’s Ward

Continued Detention of University Professor

Somayeh Farid and Sasan Aghaei Released

New Video from 11th Feb Protests - Young Girls Rescued from Security Forces

From Twitter

- Bail was denied for Advar member Milad Assadi. He has been in "temporary detention status" for 4 months.

- Student activist Mahdiyeh Golroo had 1st visit with husband. She was barred from visits since arrest 10/3/09.

- Great concerns re members of Committee of Human Rights Reports in Evin. They may be facing Moharebeh charge.

- Great concerns re Emadedin Baghi heath. He was taken to hospital last week for breathing problem, is back in Evin 240.

- Goudarzi is currently in a cell with famed movie producer & director Jafar Panahi.

- For 100 days CHRR member Kouhyar Goudarzi has been under pressure to give false confession.

- Fanian has not officially been notified of the sentence by court yet, but his court appointed lawyer has been notified.

- Payam Fanaian 1 of the Bahais arrested after Ashura has been sentenced to 6 years.

Video

News Update - March 29, 2010

News Links

Maryam Zia Released on Bail

Judge Salavati Sentences School Teacher to Death

Muslim Cleric Beaten and Insulted by Guards

Members of the Council to Defend the Right to Education Remain in Prison

Sharif University Student Mitra Aali Missing

Mousavi's message to Ayatollah Montazeri's family (Farsi)

Underground rap singer Sasi Mankan has been arrested (Farsi)

A Burial Without The Body!

Somayeh Farid and Sasan Aghaei Released

Ali Bikas Awaits In Prison Limbo

Continued Detention of Mahboubeh Karami without Indicting Charges

A Number Of Political Prisoners Had Prison Visit

From Twitter

- Isa Saharkhiz fell during prayer because of huge drop in blood pressure in Mar 20th had to be taken to Evin clinic.

- Children & women rights activist Maryam Zia has been released. She was on hunger strike & was in Evin hospital.

- Journalist Sadegh Javadi-Hesar in Mashhad Intel detention center 90 days, still not allowed a lawyer visit.

News Update - March 28, 2010

News Links

Kurdish Translator of The Satanic Verses on Threats and Pressures on His Life

Jailed Iranian Protesters Reject Charges, Urge Release

550 Days in Evin: How to Survive in Iran Prisons

Letter by Saeed Malekpour: A Shocking Account of Torture, Interrogation & Forced Confessions

Fareed Zakaria interviews Mottaki on Iran elections

How Many Basijis Does It Take To Change A Lightbulb?

Senior Participation Front Member Arrested In Mazandaran

Member of Iranian Writers Association Waits in Prison Limbo

Zahra Jabbari in Critical Condition in Evin

From Twitter

- According to Ayatollah Montazeri site 30 people were arrested at Mrs. Montazeri funeral.

- Chair of Participation Front in Mazandaran Sayed Ahmad Miri was arrested today. He is a Uni teacher & a war veteran.

- RAHANA: After 120 days in prison journalist & blogger Sassan Aghaie has been released.

- 5 members of the Defenders of Education Rights Council are still being held in prison by the regime.

- Ed rights member in prison: Zia Nabavi, Shiva Nazarahari(also CHRR), Majid Dori, Mahdiyeh Golroo & Payman.

- Zia Nabavi of Ed Rights Def Council sentenced to 15 years & 74 lashes in January, 10 years of it for MKO connection.

- Bail was set for Zia Nabvi at $500,000 but his family could not afford such high bail, so Zia is still in Evin.

- In a letter Nabavi wrote to AG Larijani he denied all of his charges. They were never able to get Zia to falsely confess.

- Zia was pressured to confess that Ed Rights Def Council is an MKO organization & he is their operative.

- Some of D pressure methods used on Zia: Sit ups, kicks, blows to the back of the head, insults & humiliation.

- Zia says because he has family members in Camp Ashraf, he was always careful not to have any contact with MKO.

- 1 of the charges on Zia's indictment read in court was that he was contacted by Iran News Agency (INA).

- Another charge was that Zia was contacted by an MKO member via phone. Zia never established contact.

- Despite all the physical & emotional pressure & torture, Zia never made any false confession.

- In court Zia denied MKO connection & said "I resent any political ideology based on violence and blind obedience".

- Judge told Zia "Despite no proven MKO connection per Inte Min written order I have to convict you of MKO connection".

- Women rights activist & Advar Member somayeh Farid has been released on Bail.

- Saied Montazeri: Today the Islamic Republic showed that they are even afraid of the body of an 85 year old woman.

- People had traveled to from Tehran, Esfahan & Najafabad to Qom to participate in Mrs Montazeri's funeral services.

- Mrs Montazeri's body was whisked away by regime forces & taken to Golzar Shohada cemetery.

Misc. Sources

- According to one source, the word "green" has been filtered form text messages.

Video

News Update - March 27, 2010

News Links

Special Report on Critical Condition of Prisoner Zahra Jabbari

Torture Continues for 1999 Student Activist Behrooz Javid Tehrani

The Latest from Iran (27 March): Rumours

Details on Hesam Firoozi’s Condition in Detention Remain Unknown

Human Rights Activist Abdolreza Ahmadi Remains in Prison

900 Activists Sign Letter for Omid Montazeri’s Release

Iran reaches out to neighbors in new year summit

Wife of late dissident cleric, Ayatollah Montazeri, passes away

Member of Iranian Writers Association Waits in Prison Limbo

From Twitter

- Medical student Shirin Gharache-Daghi kidnaped by regime in front of Tehran U 3/26.

- Mousavi advisor Dr. Ali Arab Mazar in solitary 90 days has not been charged yet, has had only few phone calls to family.

- Kalameh site is denying the reports of Mousavi meeting with Ayatollah Rafsanjani on first day of Norooz.

- Zahra Jabari has been enduring emotional & physical torture for 7 months because her siblings are in Ashraf.

- Jabari still is in the clothes she was arrested in, has lost a toe nail due to torture. Her trial has been delayed twice.

- Zahra Jabari 36 arrested in Sept is married & has 1 child. She has been under pressure & torture for 7 months.

- Still no news from member of Freedom Movement of Iran Emad Bahavar arrested 15 days ago for the 4th time.

- While many Ghazvin Uni students received disciplinary action & some arrested the killers of Ashkan & Amir are still free.

- Court of Appeals has reduced the sentence of Ghazvin Azad Uni student Amir Housein Tavakoli for 3 years to 1 1/2 years.

News Update - March 26, 2010

News Links

Iran’s ordinary post-election detainees reach out for help

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards behind recent arrest of activists

Juvenile Offender Hossein Haghi Spared from Execution

Imprisoned Tech Expert Saeed Malekpour Writes of Torture

A Step Too Far

Regime Hoarding Gasoline, Reducing Consumption in Anticipation of US Sanctions

Human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari allowed family visit

From Twitter

- HRA says most of these activists are in solitary & all are under pressure to do on camera confession.

- All the HR activists arrested across the country have been transferred to Evin ward 2-A(Sepah) & 209(Intel).

- Sama Bahmani arrested in Mahabad 2- Hamed Asgari (student) arrested in Tehran.

- Ehsan Sabet arrested in Tehran 4- Labor activist Rasould Badaghi arrested in Tehran.

- Student activist Alireza Fifroozi 6- Blogger Reza Akvanian arrested in Yasouj.

- 1- Journalist Abolfazl Abedini arrested in Ahvaz.

- 2-Mahbobeh Karami arrested in Tehran.

- 3- Former student activist Sayed Mehdi Khodai arrested in Tehran.

- 4- Journalist & blogger Nasour Naghipour arrested in Ghazvin.

- 5- Journalist & blogger Behzad Mehrani arrested in Karaj

- 6- Milad Ebrahimian (student) arrested in Tehran.

- 7- Mohamad Reza Lotfi-Yazdi (student) arrested in Mashhad.

- 8- Blogger Abdolreza Ahmadi arrested in Tehran

- 9- Saleh Salmasi arrested in Sanandaj.

- 10- Marjan Safari arrested in Tehran.

- 11- Raziyeh Alamai (student) arrested in Tehran.
- 12- Mojtaba Bayat arrested in Qom

- 13- Somayeh Ojaghlou arrested in Esfahan.

- 14- Tahmineh Momeni arrested in Sari

- 15- Sayed Salman Houseini arrested in Tehran.

- 16- Sepehr Soufi arrested in Kish

- 17- Morad Hassanlou (student) arrested in Tehran.

- 18- Nafiseh Mojtahedi arrested in Tehran

- 19- Sholeh Mansouri arrested in Tehran.

- 20- Daniel Sobhi (student) arrested in Tehran.

- 21- Sharareh Sobhi arrested in Tehran.

- 22- Mostafa Pirabbasi arrested in Tehran.

- 23- Ahmad Najafzadeh arrested in Tehran.

- 24- Davar Abasi arrested in Tehran.

- 25- Pobak Nazemi (student) arrested in Tehran.

- 26- Housein Housenzadeh arrested in Tehran.

- 27- Sajad Alemzadeh arrested in Tehran.

- 28- Mahla Moeinzadeh (student) arrested in Tehran

- 29- Shahram Shokofian arrested in Tehran.

- 30- Attorney & university teacher Dr. Vahid Ahmad Fakhreldin arrested in Ahvaz.

- 31- Nilofar Mehrabi (student) arrested in Tehran.

- 32- Journalist Mojtaba Kahestoni arrested in Ahvaz.

- 33- Film producer & director Dr. Mohamad Hassan Yousefpour Saifi arrested in Tehran.

- 34- Dorsa Sobhani arrested in Sari.

- 35- Blogger Laleh Hassanpour arrested in Tehran.

- Vahik Ebramian a Christian with IR/Dutch dual citizenship arrested Feb 20 has not been allowed lawyer/family visit.

- HR activist Mahbobeh Karami in Evin almost a month has not been charged & still doesn't know why she was arrested.

- Aliyeh in Evin 1+year serving a 3 year sentence was charged with new charges & tried in D Evin court without presence of a lawyer.

- Women rights activist Aliyeh Eghdamdoost was put in solitary 1 week 4 reading about Intl Women Day to female prisoners.

- HARANA:Status of Blogger &HR activist Abdolreza Ahmadi arrested Mar 3 still unknown. Family has had 1 phone call.

- Medical student Shirin Gherche-Daghi(F) was arrested by 5 agents in front of Tehran UNI today. Reason Unknown.

- Azizi along with other Kurdish student activists were arrested during rally protesting Kurdish political prisoners executions.

News Update - March 25, 2010

Sponsor a child in need

News Links

Detained activist Somayeh Farid meets with family

The Latest from Iran (25 March): Lying Low

Human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari allowed family visit

Human Rights Watch: Iran’s Coordinated Attack on Human Rights Groups

Top Canadian Newspaper Reports on Mourning Mothers

Letter to Navid Khanjani: “Come Back, This is Only the Beginning”

Let’s Get Over Caspian Makan

UPDATED Iran Appeal: Japan’s Deportation of Jamal Saberi

900 Iranian activists sign letter for Omid Montazeri’s Release

From Twitter

- Azizi along with other Kurdish student activist were arrested during rally protesting Kurdish political prisoners executions.

- After 4 months in prison Kurdish student activist Pakhshan Azizi(F) has been temporarily released on $100,000 bail.

- 1/2) Member of Teachers Union & former member of HRA Rasoul Badaghi has started a hunger strike in Evin,

- 2/2) Badaghi arrested in late August has not been charged or given any reason for his arrest.

- 1) Member of the military Ali Mohamadi-Moghadam has been sentenced to death by a Military Court in Tehran,

- 2) Mohamadi-Moghadam was convicted of anti-national security acts & espionage. He is currently in Evin.

News Update - March 24, 2010

PETITION to release Isa Saharkhiz from Evin Prison

Help Free Writers and Journalists Held in Iran

Political activist at risk of torture in Iran: Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

Free Navid Khanjani and other Education Rights Activists Petition

News Links

Reports of 181 human rights violations in Kurdistan

In response to new rules, GoDaddy to stop registering domain names in China

Caspian, What Have You Done?

Labor Unions Send Norooz Messages

Mohammad Nourizad Calls Home: “I Stand like a Lion”

Iranian protesters loyal to regime, says powerful cleric Rafsanjani

Kurdish Staff of Mousavi’s Electoral Headquarters Held Incommunicado

Bahman Ahmadi-Amouei on Prison Leave

Kurdish Detainee on Hunger Strike in Mahabad Prison

Faezeh Hashemi’s Son Released

News Update - March 23, 2010

"It is totally illogical to seek happiness if we do nothing to restrain angry, spiteful, and malicious thoughts and emotions."
-Dalai Lama

PETITION to release Isa Saharkhiz from Evin Prison

Help Free Writers and Journalists Held in Iran

Political activist at risk of torture in Iran: Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

Free Navid Khanjani and other Education Rights Activists Petition

News Links

International humanitarian delegation to visit refugees in Turkey

Norooz Outside Kermanshah Ministry of Intelligence Detention Centre

No information available on the situation of Akbar Ali Ajami

Norooz Message by Mehdi Saharkhiz

Iran frees grandson of powerful ex-president

Family of slain Iranian protester wants answers

Ali Moazzemi Released

Video

News Update - March 22, 2010

PETITION to release Isa Saharkhiz from Evin Prison

Help Free Writers and Journalists Held in Iran

Political activist at risk of torture in Iran: Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

Free Navid Khanjani and other Education Rights Activists Petition

News Links

Belief in Baha’i Faith Causes Iran’s Judiciary to Refuse Appeal Letter for Navid Khanjani

Donations for Iranian journalists in exile

German hotel hosted event for Iranian consulate, will donate profits to a human rights organization

Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s Grandson Arrested

Sharif University Student Mehdi Kalari Released

Tara Sepehrifar Released from Prison

Ahmadinejad, fighting parliament, proposes referendum to control billions of dollars

1388, Year of Militarization of Economy

Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard’s Nowruz Messages

Karoubi concerned over fate of "unknown" election detainees

Two Baha’i Citizens Released

Mansoureh Behkish Received Travel Ban

Civil Activists and Political Prisoners Released

Video

News Update - March 21, 2010

PETITION to release Isa Saharkhiz from Evin Prison

Help Free Writers and Journalists Held in Iran

Political activist at risk of torture in Iran: Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

Free Navid Khanjani and other Education Rights Activists Petition

News Links

The Verdict: Persian Umpire’s Verdict on Khamenei’s Fatwa against Chahar Shanbe Soori

The Double Lives of Tehran’s Middle Class

Orumiyeh prisoners celebrate Norouz

Full text of Karoubi’s Nowruz Message to Iran (Blasting the Hardliners)

Iranian leader accuses US of plotting against Iran

Norooz Gathering Outside Evin Prison

Ehya Gostaran Company Forced to Pay Employees

Emad Bahavar’s Wife Sent a Complaint to Tehran Prosecutor

Letter of 45 Artists for Release of Detained Filmmakers

News Update - March 20, 2010

"With money you can't buy wisdom, you can't buy inner peace. Wisdom and inner peace must be created by yourself."
-Dalai Lama

Hey, everyone, sorry for not updating yesterday. I'm back to my usual self, and I have not only today's update but also gathered yesterday's news as well. Again, for those following the Persian calendar, I want to wish you a happy new year full of love, peace, joy and good fortune. Be good to those around you, cherish life as much as you can and never forget to be grateful for even the smallest of moments.

PETITION to release Isa Saharkhiz from Evin Prison

Help Free Writers and Journalists Held in Iran

Political activist at risk of torture in Iran: Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

News Links

Japan About to Help Iran Prosecute Another Activist

Iran’s Opposition Seeks More Help in Cyberwar With Government

Iran president suggests referendum on subsidy cuts

Phishing-Mails: Hackers Attack Facebook Users

US Shipping Bombs for Attack on the Iranian Regime

Sohrab’s Mother Sends New Year Message

Dorsa Sobhani Prohibited from Visitation

Koohyar Goodarzi’s Sentence Extended Two Months

EU agrees to act to stop Iran jamming internet

Shiraz University Students Meet with Majid Tavakoli’s Family

Shiva Nazar Ahari’s Family Send Norooz Message

Picture: Bahman Ahmad Amouee Home for Norooz

Iranian People Offer Mixed Reaction to Obama's Nowruz Message

Iran releases prominent pro-reform figure

Iran leaders trumpet victory over its enemies

Iran has defeated 'enemy plots,' Khamenei says

Tara Sepehrifard Released

Saeed Nourmohammadi Released

Mohammad-Yousef Rashidi Released

From Twitter

- Tehran witness Sat night: 200+ security people watch as family of jailed protesters gather in front of Evin prison.

- Thousands of political prisoners are buried in Khavaran, some in mass graves. Prayers for them & their families.

- Shame: Once again families of victims of mass executions of 20+ years ago were prevented from visiting their graves.

- HRA Iran has issued a list of 59040 documented cases of HR violations in Iran for the year 1388(Mar09-Mar10).

- Former VP & Rafsanjani's brother-in-law Housien Marashi arrested Thur has been released on a 10 day leave.

- Payman Aref extension request of his leave from prison was rejected so he returned to Evin on Tuesday.

- RAHANA: Per Jalalian her self her death sentence has been upheld & can be carried out at any time.

- RAHANA: There was no info on Jalalian after she was moved out of Kermanshah prison which caused great concerns.

- RAHANA: Kurdish activist Zaynab Jalalian is in Evin 209 sharing a cell with Bahareh Hedayat.

- HRDA says Rahmani had a valid passport & visa for Iraq. Rahmani himself is a former political prisoner.

- Court charged Rahmani for leaving the country illegally 6 years ago when he went to visit his son in Ashraf Iraq.

- HRDA reports Yadollah Rahmani 60 was tried & sentenced to 1 year & fines without he or his lawyer being present in court.

- Goodarzi is under pressure to reveal his email & CHRR site passwords.

- Detention order for Koohyar Goodarzi member of CHRR has been renewed for another 2 months.

Video

No update tonight

I know it's very late right now, but I just wanted to mention there won't be an update tonight. I'm just not able to concentrate on anything lately...I hope tomorrow I'll have an update. I feel bad for not updating tonight when so much is going on, I'm sorry...

I hope I'll snap out of it soon.

-NV

News Update - March 18, 2010

"The greatest test of courage on the earth is to bear defeat without losing heart."
-- R. G. Ingersoll

Help Free Writers and Journalists Held in Iran

Political activist at risk of torture in Iran: Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

News Links

Mahdieh Golroo Banned from Visitation

RSF Urges Islamic Republic to Investigate Omidreza MirSayafi’s Death

CHRR Statement on Accusations by Iranian Regime

Another Ashura Day Protester Receives Death Sentence

The Situation of Prisoner Hossein Ronaqi Maleki

Remembering the dead

Where joy is a crime: Woman arrested as child runs after her

Iranian Government Releases Prisoners for Persian New Year

Iran activist launches support project for opposition

Iran’s Opposition Seeks More Help in Cyberwar With Government

People’s Response to Leader: National Heritage, Not Superstition

Prosecutor General’s Threats

Iran: Karroubi challenges hardliner accusations against opposition

From Twitter

- Ahmadinejad was in Qom, met with 1 marja Ayatollah(probably Mesbah Yazdi), Qom had extra security on streets.

- Sayed Ahmad Reza Ahmadpour, a cleric blogger, has been sentenced to 1year & his clerical status taken away.

- Journalist Bahman Amoei arrested June 20 has been released on bail.

- Bloger Housein Derakhshan in prison more than 500 days, still not charged with anything & in limbo status.

- Group of people went to the cemetery today on this last Thur of the year to pay respect to our Green Martyrs.

- Seems like no one is immune from filtering in Iran, the site of Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani's son has been filtered.

- 1) Daftar Tahkim Vahdat denies the re-arrest news of their Chair Mehdi Arabshahi

- 2) Arabshahi along with few other Ashura arrestees were summoned by Intel for questioning but not arrested.

News Update - March 17, 2010

"General standards of human rights apply to all countries because all humans share an inherent yearning for freedom, equality and dignity."

- Dalai Lama

News Links

Document - Iran: Student activist detained without charge: Milad Asadi

Swiss Federal court refuses all legal aid to Iran

Kaveh’s Mother to Set Up Haft-Sin Outside Prison

CNN: Iranians celebrate holiday under police crackdown

Mir Hossein Mousavi & Zahra Rahnavard to release video addressing the Iranian People for Nowruz (Iranian New Year)

Abdolreza Ghanbari, Another Ashura Day Protester Receives the Death Sentence

Saeed Leylaz and Behzad Nabavi: Released for Nowruz Holidays

From Twitter

- Qom Mofid Law School teacher Mostafa Mir-Ahmadizadeh has been released. He was a student of Ayatollah Montazeri.

- Last night in Qom there were Basij check points stationed on major streets.

- Advare Tahkim denies all accusations printed in Rajanews & Javanonline. Advar will file an official complaint.

- Bureau of Prisons Deputy Chief denied reports of 3,000 Afghans on death row saying Afghans are 2% of prison population.

- 86 final verdicts have been issued for post election protesters. Names & details have not been published.

- Sharif Uni student activist Tara Sepehrifar has been released after 35 days in detention.

Video

News Update - March 16, 2010

"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

News Links

What's next--the 'Persian' Gulf?

In Iran, a Street Demonstration That Both Sides Stay Away From

Videos: Chaharshanbeh Souri

Human Rights Report: Clashes Erupt in Karaj

Clashes in Baharestan Park

Trial for Isa Saharkhiz was held without his presence (Farsi)

Motorcycles banned Today Starting from 2:00 pm

Enghelab Square has been militarized

Ban on Daily Etemad lifted

$500,000USD bail order for Leylaz’s Parole

Opposition Leader: Iran 'Plagued by Despotism'

No news about party youth leader, Alireza Falahati

Interview with Behzad Nabavi’s Interrogator

Guidance Minister: We Acted Legally Press Undersecretary: I Don’t Accept the Law!

Elections at Iran’s Bar Association Lawyers Continue to Protest Government Interference

Wife of Panahi says unable to meet him in Iran jail

From Twitter

- Participation Front member Saied Noor-Mohamadi has been released on bail.

- Fire Dept announced 206 incidents tonight, 65 injuries 3 of which were serious.

- Deputy chief police Radan said 50 people have been arrested tonight in Tehran.

- Chahar Shanbeh Soori was very much alive. Khamenei's Fatwa was very much ignored.

- In Gisha everything was very festive. Dancing, music, fireworks. People were having fun.

- Many plain cloths (on foot, bikes, cars) among people. Very hard to distinguish.

- Many people on streets for the festivities. Didn't care for the guards at all. Nothing political.

- Felestin Square intense clashes. Municipality switched off street lights & clashes continue in darkness.

- Aryashahr is just like a war zone, sound of firework is constant & security forces have pulled out of area for now.

- Ahwaz Zeitoon district people clash with security forces after they try to arrest a man.

- People chant Death to Khamenei and burn his pictures in Amirabad district.

- First police car set on fire in Majidieh. Hardly any visibility smoke from fireworks and tear gas everywhere.

- Saied Laylaz has been released on $500,000 bail. His release is temporary & is until April 4.

- Jaras: Mohamad Taghi Karoubi denied the explosion at Housein Karoubi's home.

- Basij station set on fire in Hatef Street in Isfahan.

- Video allegedly from Nezam Abad tonight is actually from last year.

- Senior member of Islamic Mojahedin(Not MKO) Behzad Nabavi was released on a 15 day leave for medical reasons.

- Author & women rights activist Laleh Hassanpour was arrested in a raid of her home today.

- After 100 days in detention student activist Mohamad Yousef Rashidi has been released.

- Mashhad Allameh UNI Law student Abdollah Yousefzadegan was arrested Mon morning,comp & items confiscated.

News Update - March 15, 2010

"Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great."
-- Mark Twain

Being Nowruz, a new year, I want to wish you all well and may you have many wonderful things happen for you and your loved ones. A new year beginning on the first day of spring, when not only is the land reawakening from its winter and new life is emerging, but a time we can take to renew ourselves; and prepare for the new lessons life has to teach us this year. Every day is one new lesson, and every year a semester for what we learn about ourselves, how we view life; about others, and the differences they make in our lives and we in theirs.

--

According to one of my sources, emails are being sent (possibly by Basijis) asking you to open a link. Do not open the link as it contains a virus, as it could also be sent to your contacts. Whether the sources of these infected emails are actually Basijis is unconfirmed, but still, please use caution and common sense when receiving emails.

News Links

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - March 16, 2010

US House of Representatives Passes Historic Norooz Resolution

Nightly protest of people in front of Evin continues (Farsi)

Ayatollah Dastgheyb: "Mohareb" is the person, who takes people's freedom (Farsi)

Ban on Reformist Political Party

Six execution sentences for Iran’s Ashura Day detainees

Iran Braces for Fire Festival Crackdown

Fatemeh Karoubi speaks out after Karoubi home vandalized by pro-government vigilantes

Birjand University Students Activists Arrested Again

Blogger Mohammad Esmaeelzadeh Transferred to Babol Prison General Ward

West ignoring human rights abuses in Iran: Nobel laureate

Supreme Leader tries to ban Charshanbeh Suri in attempt to quell protests

Amnesty International’s Norooz Action: Send Norooz Greetings

From Twitter

- Lots of police, but not confrontational at all. More or less festive atmosphere around town.

- Police cracking down on people selling fireworks. Specially illegal fireworks.

- Supreme Leader's fatwa against the holiday paves way for harsh crackdown. Protesters have already been accused of 'warring against Allah'.

- 1- HR attorney Oliayifar has been released from prison. He was arrested when he went to court on a client's case.

- 2- Oliayifar had been sentenced to 1 year for giving interviews & condemning Behnoud Shojaie's execution.

- 3- Neither Oliayifar nor his lawyer were notified in advance of court's decision for him to start serving his sentence.

- 4- After Oliayifar's attorney filled a complain court agreed to let him out of Evin & follow legal procedures.

News Update - March 14, 2010

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any."
-- Alice Walker

Stop the Deportation of Jamal Saberi

News Links

Connecting the Dots — 5 Signs of Regime Trouble

Karoubi’s Home Vandalized by Pro-government Vigilantes

Weekend Headlines from the Tehran Bureau

Uncertainty for detained journalists as New Year approaches

Khamenei Denounces Iranian New Year Fire Festival (Chahar Shanbe Soori)

Rafsanjani urges openness in Iran’s national broadcasting organization

Iran, the Republic of Female Discrimination

Uncertainty for Detained Journalists as Nowruz Approaches

US 'concerned' at Bahai Persecution in Iran

IR Iran Says it Broke Up U.S.-Backed Cyber Networks

No Exit: Human Rights Abuses Inside the Mojahedin Khalq Camps

HRW: IR Iran Should Release or Charge Famed Filmmaker

Statement by Iranian Women for International Women’s Day

Abbas: IR Iran Hampering Unity Talks

Life of Juvenile Offender Spared by Victim’s Family

Shiva Nazar Ahari’s Family Writes to Tehran Prosecutor

Mehdi Botorabi was arrested (Farsi)

Azar Mansouri Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

List of ward 240 prisoners leaks out from Evin (Farsi)

Interview with mother of Mostafa Karim Beigi

Report from Geneva: United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution on Iran Unlikely

Iran temporarily releases Iranian-American scholar

Radio Free Europe: Google, RSF Honor Iranian Women Bloggers

From Twitter

- Mousavi gave a speech to Participation Front central & political comt & the youth group.

- RAHANA: Student activist Housein Ronaghi in detention 2 months is under pressure to accept false charges.

- People who try to leave MKO: detained, tortured, forced to sign "confessions", declare loyalty to Rajavi.

Video

News Update - March 13, 2010

"To meet the challenge of this century, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility."
- Dalai Lama

Stop the Deportation of Jamal Saberi

News Links

Uncertainty for detained journalists as New Year approaches

No Information on the Condition of Rahim Hemmati Causes Concern

Two More Baha’i Students Banned from University

Emad Behavar arrested for the 4th time in the past year (Farsi)

Iran arrests 30 over U.S.-linked cyber ring: report

Letter by parents of Shiva Nazar-Ahari to the prosecutor

Kurdish Writer Arrested, Location and Reason Unknown

IRNA has banned images of Hashemi Rafsanjani (Farsi)

From Twitter

- Caution: HRA site is redirected to Gerdab which is Sepah & a phishing site.

- Before Mar 8 International Women's Day, anti-feminism posters were distributed in universities by Basij student.

- Some of the HR activists that were not arrested during Mar 2-3 raids were arrested in subsequent days.

- Newly arrested HR activists are under pressure in prison to confess to false charges.

- 9 PM Mar 2 to 9 AM Mar 3 homes of 30 HR activists were raided across the country resulting in 15 arrests.

- Journalists Vahid Pourostad & Somayeh Momeni have been released on bail.

- Abdi was to go on trial on Sun, court has been postponed, probably in the hopes of getting him to falsely confess.

- Bo Ali Sina UNI student Mohsen Abdi is being tortured in Evin to accept false charges.

- Layli Farhardpour journalist, author, womens' rights activist & member of Mothers for Peace has bn released on Bail.

- 4 Brijand UNI student were rearrested last week. All 4 were Karoubi Camp activists, detention loc is unknown.

- MP Alikhani Parliament National Sec & Foreign Affairs member: Confiscation of Khatami passport just a rumor by his enemies.

- Azar Mansouri(F) Deputy Political Affairs of the Participation Front has been sentenced to 3 years in prison.

- 1- Student activist & blogger Mohamad Esmaeilzadeh has been moved to public ward of Babol(N.IR) prison.

- 2- Esmaeilzadeh sentenced to prison for "Insulting the Leader" is also banned from finishing his degree for 5 years.

- Arrests of HR attorneys continue: Dr. Vahid Ahmad Fakheredin was arrested in Ahvaz(S.IR) Wed Feb 10.

- Oppression of Bahais continue: Parisa Emadi(F) & Parham Fazali seniors at Karaj Hesarak UNI have been expelled.

Video

News Update - March 12, 2010

"Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties."
-- Dalai Lama

Stop the Deportation of Jamal Saberi

News Links

Family of slain Kahrizak doctor demands arrest of their son’s murderers

Karroubi Aide: Ahmadinejad-Khamenei Rift Widening

The death of two political prisoners in Qom

Bail Posted for Three Imprisoned Journalists, Hope for Pre-Nowruz Release

Why Is Iran Releasing Some Postelection Detainees?

Thousands of Iranian refugees hope to be granted asylum

Rafsanjani’s Long-term Strategy: Empowering Himself Through Helping the Greens

Iran declares German asylum politics unlawful

A list of 109 people killed in post Iran Election unrest (Farsi)

2000 Sharif Uni students: We are proud of our imprisoned friends

No Information About Student at Mashad Azad, Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Arrested 10 Days Ago

Abbasgholizadeh: Suppression Has Changed Iranian Women’s Priorities

World Affairs Council interviews Hadi Ghaemi

U.S. criticizes Iran for religious persecution

Majlis’ Negative Response to Ahmadinejad

Ramin Pourandarjani’s Father in Interview with Rooz: Identify and Prosecute My Son’s Murderers

Students urge university president to help release their peers

The Latest from Iran (13 March): Settling In

News Update - March 11, 2010

"The baby rises to its feet, takes a step, is overcome with triumph and joy - and falls flat on its face. It is a pattern for all that is to come! But learn from the bewildered baby. Lurch to your feet again. You'll make the sofa in the end."
-- Pam Brown

Sign petition to stop execution of Amir Reza Arefi

Save Mohammad Valian from Execution

News Links

Shadi Sadr’s Speech for the International Women of Courage Award Ceremony

Farzad Kamangar Writes a Letter from Evin Prison

Report on Iran: More than 400 Executions in 2009

Student protest anthem subtitled

Iranian football journalist released after hunger strike

Student activist who was sentenced to 15 years escaped to Turkey (Farsi)

Mousavi: We shall all stand until we reach our goal (Farsi)

Hunger Strike by a Kurdish Activist in Orumiyeh Prison

Polytechnic University of Tehran Student Mehdi Gooya Arrested

Over One Month Detention and Uncertainty for Arash Nouri

Laying the grounds to fire Mousavi from the teachers' college (Farsi)

Dr. Maleki: I denied all baseless accusations (Farsi)

Statement by 227 top known world directors to criticize Jafar Panahi & Mohammad Rasoul-Of's arrest

Stop Anti-Sharia and Inhumane Execution Sentences!

Interview: UN Envoy On Torture Says Concerned About Iran

New Releases, New Arrests in Iran

From Twitter

- Agents took Aghdasi & his wife but later released Aghdasi's wife, however she has been summoned back to Intel.

- Last Sun Labor activist Reza Aghdasi was arrested in a raid of his home, personal effects confiscated.

- Secretary of Journalists Union Badrolsadat Mofidi has been moved back into solitary at Evin.

- Zahra Rahnavar(Mousavi's wife): If we stay steadfast victory will certainly be ours.

- Last week 15 Mazandaran Science Uni students were summoned by the disciplinary office.

- 1/2 - Injustice: Ex Tehran DA Saeid Mortazavi who was found to be the main guilty culprit in Kahrizak case,...

- 2/2 - by Parliaments Invst Comit was not among the 12 who went on trial in connection with Kahrizak torture deaths.

- 2 people charged with drug trafficking were executed in Qom on Wednesday Mar 10.

- Isa Saharkhiz was taken out of solitary. Like always in high spirits.

News Update - March 10, 2010

"Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead."
-- Louisa May Alcott

Sign petition to stop execution of Amir Reza Arefi

Save Mohammad Valian from Execution

News Links

Tajzadeh free after 9 months, no real details (Farsi)

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - March 10, 2010

Further information: Journalist imprisoned after appeal rejected: Hengameh Shahidi

Bahareh Hedayat’s File Still Not Registered at the Court

Children’s Rights Activist Saeed Hassanzadeh Remains in Prison

Baha’i Prisoner Babak Mobasher Detained in Rajai Shahr Prison

The Destination was to Begin the Journey

Trial filed for Mehdi and Faezeh Hashemi (Farsi)

Mazroei's speech in Tabriz participation office avoided (Farsi)

1/3 of the world's detained journalists are in Iran

Abbas Kiarostami's letter in protest of Jafar Panahi's arrest

U.S. hikers held in Iran allowed to call home, families say

US Begins to Believe in Iran Opposition

Makarem Shirazi condemns rumors about himself but not Valian death sentence (Farsi)

Report: Farzaneh Ghasemi’s situation since her arrest

Mehdi Sadeghloo, another Juvenile Offender in Danger of Execution

Regime mouthpiece accuses Khatami of, gasp!, wearing suit in passport photo

Iran releases former senior official

Iranian Women’s Rights Activists: We Will Stand by the People

Commanders’ Concern: Not Enough Forces Beholden to Supreme Leader

Iran Document: The Hardliners’ Project

From Twitter

- Ahmadinejad has appointed his son's father-in-law Mashaei to 17 government positions.

- Access to many blogs have been blocked by the order of judicial authorities in the past 3-4 days.

- After 9 months in prison Mostafa Tajzadeh has been released on bail. He stood his grounds during the entire time.

- Kurdish labor activist Mahmoud Salehi summoned&interegated in Saghes for statement he released reporting International Women's Day

- 3 Kurdish labor activists have been arrested in the city of Bookan. Omar Minaei, Hadi Tanouman & Karim Fatehi arrested.

- Qom DA said they have arrested number of people for espionage activities & connection with Mojahedin(MKO).

- Qom DA said these people were arrested within the last couple of months, names & details will be announced later.

- Mahmoud Ataiyan a Bahai resident in Ghaemshar has been sentenced to 10 months.

- Saman Sabetini a Bahai resident in Ghaemshar has been sentenced to 6 months.

- Mohsen Roholamini was one of the victims tortured to death in Kahrizak prison last summer.

- Mohsen Roholamini's father testified today in the 2nd trial session of 12 accused in Kahrizak prison murders.

- 6 years sentence given to journalist & academic Saied Laylaz by the Appeals Court. He has been in prison since 6/16.

- According to Noormohamadi's attorney bail was set & provided to court by Evin officials prevented his release.

- News of Participation Front member Saied Noormohamadi release from prison is denied by his family

Misc. Sources

- Two men are scheduled to be executed on March 9, in the city of Ahvaz. One man is convicted of drug trafficking, the other of armed robbery. People have been invited to witness the execution.

Photos

Photo report: Tajzadeh after release