News Update - November 15, 2009

Petition to save Bahman (Shirko) Maarefi from execution

News Links

Families of US hikers in Iran concerned

Iranian Musician Declares His Protest

NAM first ladies hold summit

Iran to resume trial of French lecturer on Tuesday

Brazilians Take to the Streets Against Iran President's Visit

Iran's Parliament Speaker Blasts US Actions

US behind Saudi bombing of Shiite Yemenis: Iran

Kahrizak Dr. Pourandarzjani, was he murdered or did he die of heart attack? (Farsi) | تشیع پیکر پزشک بازداشتگاه کهریزک در فضای امنیتی
خانواده اجازه کالبدشکافی پیدا نکردند

Obama no better than Bush, says Iranian parliament speaker

What Happened to Ehsan Fattahian?

Students at a school in Germany protest presence of Iranian ambassador (Farsi) | اعتراض به حضور سفیر ایران در مدرسه‌ای در آلمان

Iran Condemns Man To Death Over Unrest

Ahmadinejad has no future: Peres

Iran's parliament approves last three ministers

Iran condemns US mosque seizure

Child of Martyr Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

From Tweets
(Slightly edited for grammar and spelling.)

- Dr. Pourandarzjani was buried under security watch. His family was not allowed to perform autopsy.

- Heads of the three branches of government Speaker Larijani, Ahmadi & AG Larijani had a meeting today.

- Political prisoners Mansour Oslalou & Behrooz Javid Tehrani are among the criminal in Ward A Gohardasht.

- 1. Pasdars & prison guards attacked prisoners in ward A of Gohardasht prison on Saturday.

- 2. They beat up prisoners with batons causing injuries and broken bones.

- 3. broken bones, cuts, is injured severely. They moved Tasviri to ward 5 of the prison.

- 4. It is said this attack on prisoners is in retaliation of their riot few weeks ago

- 5. Behrooz Shirkhani who suffers from effects of chemical weapons during Iran-Iraq war also injured severely.

- 6. The Pasdars attacking the prisoners are: Hadi Goudarzi, Mohamadi & Mehrabadi.

- 1/11 Ozra was arrested by Intel on Jun 20 at Enghelab Sq and taken to ward 2A(Sepah) of Evin prison.

- 2/11 Ozra was physically and mentally tortured in prison. She now is in the general population ward.

- 3/11 Ozra says her interrogators would beat her up and tell her she has to do an on camera confession.

- 4/11 Ozra endured many beating sessions by her interrogators. She was tried in branch 15 of the Rev court.

- 5/11 presided by judge Salavati. In court even Salavati said they don't have much evidence against her

- 6/11 other than her forced confession. Salavati even suggested Intel needs to do more investigation.

- Anzali Univ med student Mostafa Shafiei was arrested by Intel Nov 3. His whereabouts and status are unknown.

- 1/2 Another illegal act by Iranian court system. Court documents for detained student activist Salman Sima.

- 2/2 have not been properly filed by Intel court. His lawyer is not able to proceed without filed charges.

- After one year in prison in Tabriz student activists Faraz Zehtan & Aiydin Khajehi have been released.

- Salavati continuously stops allowing prisoners to have their own lawyer and appoints lawyers for them.

- Judge Salavati continuously does not file the proper court documents thus stopping the lawyers from filing appeal.

- Misagh Yazdan-Nejads 3 uncles executed, his parents were political prisoners 20 years ago and sister is in Ashraf.

- Judge Salavati continuously illegally takes into accounts the family history of a political prisoner.

- Political prisoner Ali Saremi has been in limbo situation for 2 years now.

- Salavati sets court date, when prisoner is brought to court he postpones the proceedings.

- Judge Salavati continuously stops the court proceedings causing unnecessary prolonged prison time.

- Judge Salavati is notorious in issuing and carrying out death sentences.

- 1/8 Student activist Misagh Yazdan Nejad was in Evin when he needed emergency medical help.

- 2/8 Misagh was taken to hospital where doctors decided he needs to be operated on. He was prepped for

- 3/8 operation but at last min guards took Misagh out of the hospital & transfered him to Gohardasht prison.

- 4/8 Misagh has been in need of medical help since. Prison officials refuse to provide medical help.

- 5/8 Misagh is in constant pain. Gohardasht med facility told Misagh their doctor will not be there for another

- 6/8- 4 months. Misagh has been suffering since October 17 when they removed him from hospital.


- 7/8 Judge Salavati sentenced Misagh to 14 years but refuses to officially issue the court documents

- 8/8 Without official court documents Misaghs lawyer cannot appeal his inhumane sentence

- 7/11 Ozras family denies their daughter ever being a political activist.

- 8/11 Her indictment states that she participated in terrorist activities 5 yrs ago and charges her.

- 9/11 with cooperation with MKO. Ozra did confess to these charges under torture by Sepah.

- 10/11 She denies all of her charges and says she made the forced confession under torture.

- 11/11 Ozras charges can carry the death sentence. She has not been sentenced yet.

- Despite posting bond of $250000 for Ahmad Zaydabadi they have not authorized his release yet.

- Women rights activist Jiyna Modares-Gorji has been banned from leaving the country.

- Jiyna was on her way out of the country when they stopped her at the airport and confiscated her passport.

- Yesterday, warden Khosravi threatened political prisoner Habibolah Latif to carry out his death sentence.

- Political prisoners in Uromiyeh started a 3 day hunger strike Sat in protest of their treatment.

- Uromiyeh political prisoners have threatened to continue their hunger strike if their treatment is not changed.

- Letter from Shirkooh's Parents: Don't Let Them Execute Our Son.

Video

Iran News Update - November 04, 2009

Newslinks

AJC: Ship Seizure Proves Iran is Fanning Flames of War

Israel: Commandos seize huge Iranian arms shipment

Iran wants to be seen as regional power: ElBaradei

Obama calls for new relationship with Iran on anniversay of embassy takeover

Iran On the Edge

Iran opposition protesters return to streets

White House hoping violence in Iran won't spread

BBC Persian's eyewitness report page (Farsi) | مراسم 13 آبان، مشاهدات شما

Iran's ex-presidential candidate attacked

Internet down or really slow in most parts of Tehran (Farsi) | اینترنت را قطع کردند

Iran's new chant is 'Death to no one!'

Gov tried to counter Kermanshah protests by mixing Basij with greens, but failed (Farsi) | مردم غيور كرمانشاه ترفند كثيف نظام را نقش برآب كردند

Earthquake strikes southern Iran

The President Snubs Iran's Democrats

Neda's mother: She was 'like an angel'

U.S. Embassy Takeover a Mistake

Officials Who are Tricked by US are Naïve

Greens Announce Rally Routes

Leaders of Advar Tahkim Student Group Arrested

Iranians brace for tougher economic times

From Misc. Sources

- Karroubi's son confirmed on BBC Persian that his father was injured during an attack by the special forces.

- According to once source, gunshots were heard in Tehran at around 3:15.

Photos

- Pictures of tear gas and abuse by Sec. Forces

- Greens Carrying Green Banner in Tehran

- Photos of today's protests from BBC Persian

From Tweets
(Most of these are from the ever-amazing NiteOwl. Great to have him back!)

- According to NiteOwl, there have been no reports of anyone being killed in today's protests.

- Resistance source : "Police kept their word & didn't touch us. Unlike Sepah & Basij."

- Trials for Mohammad Ali Abtahi & Hengameh Shahidi were held today. The news was buried in all the protest news!

- Mousavi was at his office in Fahrangestan today. Sec. forces reportedly prevented him from joining protesters, says journo.

- Arrested today1: Mohammad Hashemi - reformist politician, Nafiseh Zah Kohan, journalist.

- Arrested Today2: Hojjat Sharifi, reformist politician, Wahideh Moolavi, women's rights activist.

- Arrested Today3: Ali Mashmooli, student activist from Isfahan, Ali Maleehi, reformist politician and activist.

- Arrested Today4: Mohammad Sadeghi, reformist politician/activist, Hasan Asad Zaidabadi, reformist activist.

- Eye witness tells BBC Farsi TV that the coup forces had equipments for dispersing people with boiling water.

- Security forces very violent today. Basijis were attacking with machete in their hands.

- Witness says some students from U of Tehran arrested.

- Three buses blockaded the university entrance gate to block the view on the inside of university campus.

- Basij, lebas shakhsi [plain clothes /under cover] were singling out individuals, dragging them away by the neck.

- Plainclothesmen chanted against Mousavi outside the office. Some attacked it but were beaten back.

- Security Forces have been fought back at Tehran Uni, they left scene. Students are free.

- Sec. Forces attacked Karroubi's car and the car was badly damaged in the attack as Karroubi was inside.

- Karroubi suffered skin irritation and small burns from the tear gas and was forced to leave the area.

- Many protesters are going home after beatings and then coming back with bandages.

- Reports that tear gas was used extensively to disperse protests in Tabriz just after they started.

- Political Activist Dr. Habibullah Peyman and his wife were beaten in Tehran during protests.

- Mobile Network Completly Shutdown in Tehran.

- Many people were detained and taken to Al-Javad Mosque. Can be confirmed now.

- Plainclothesmen were taking pictures and videos of protesters.

- Shomali Majmoueh Shiroudi/500 Basijis hold 50 Greens in buses.Trying to free them.

- Eyewitnesses claiming that protesters in Tehran's Hafte Tir were savagely beaten.

- Internet had been completely cut off by the government around Enghelab Square and other parts of the city.

- One of Karroubi's bodyguards has been taken to the hospiltal, per Mowjeh Sabzeh Azadi.

-Tear gas was used so extensively in Tabriz that around the main University, breathing was impossible.

- Regime goons threw protesters to the ground and jumped on their legs to break them, per radio caller.

- Unconfirmed Claims that gas with colored powder is being thrown at people for later identification.

- Opposition websites have been blocked by the gov to stop people from getting news of protests

- Opposition websites have been blocked by the gov to stop people from getting news of protests.

- Police opened fire at protesters at Tehran's Hafte-Tir Square, injuring multiple people, according to a reformist news website.

- Four Metro Stations in Tehran have been shut down by the government to stop the flow of Green protesters

Videos


Grand Ayatollah Dastgheib advises Khamenei to sit alone somewhere and repent.


Purely disgusting. I will never understand how anyone, especially leaders of a nation can not only allow, but condone those who are supposed to protect physically assault innocent people.

Pictures and video of the protest + News Update Nov 02, 2009

Newslinks

US hikers languish in Iran jail

Iran opposition figure takes forceful stance

Iran warns reformists as hostage anniversary nears

Friend of detained Americans in Iran writes to Ahmadinejad

Pakistan asks Iran to mediate between Islamabad and Delhi

Iran Guards warn opposition against rallies

Iran arrests six Pakistanis for illegal entry

Tehran Braces for a New Political Showdown

Selected headlines from the Tehran Bureau

Iran suggests it not ready to export uranium

Mothers of prisoners Write a letter to Sadeq Larijani

Torture Causes Prisoner to Commit Suicide

From Misc. Sources

- In Qom, people handed out small plastic packages of candy with a small
note promoting mass protests for 13 Aban.

- Students of Kashan Univesity (in Central Iran) held a gathering, protesting the illegal arrests of three student activists- Nov. 2, '09

Videos

News Update - November 01, 2009

Hi, all, it’s been a while since I said anything outside the regular updates. It’s been a little hectic lately, but otherwise I’m fine. Today I had the chance to attend a protest at the Federal Building in LA. I got there very early; there were only three other people. It felt a little awkward at first, and I wondered if I was even in the right place. Not knowing what else to do, I just stood with the small group, and regretted not getting the chance to make a sign. One of the people that showed up a while later handed me a sign with pictures of the Shah, and I was given a flag to hold.

As time passed, I waved the flag, paced back and forth for a bit. A truck arrived and the group behind me began to set up. Slowly, more people arrived, and I began to feel a little bit awkward being the only non-Iranian; but people seemed to appreciate my support. We had a couple of guys pass by, just being complete jerks, which was not surprising we would get at least one or two people behaving so immaturely.

We had this one little old man who stepped right out of the bus, had no idea what was going on and he went around asking questions. Everyone around was nice enough to inform him of the situation. He grabbed a sign and protested with us for a while, before going on his way.

More and more people showed up. The few people that were there turned to I’m guessing one to two hundred people. There was one strange moment where one man began to shout anti-Mousavi slogans, and it turned into a heated argument. I only watched from the sidelines, and all other eyes were on him as well. Thankfully it didn’t last very long, and nothing serious happened, everyone was peaceful despite the man’s disliking of Mousavi. Although I don’t think he was for the regime either, holding a picture of the Shah.

After that, the protest went very well, and I couldn’t stay through the whole event, I had to leave early. I returned the flag and sign before taking some last-minute video and pictures. I was careful in making sure I didn’t get anyone’s face, at least not too clearly, which explains a lot of the pictures from July 25. I wish I could have stayed longer, and it felt like quite the honor to stand with them. Everyone was very friendly, and there was such a strong sense of community. I was happy to be there with them, and can’t wait for the next chance I get. I’ll upload the pictures and video as soon as I can.

Well, on to today’s news update!

Newslinks

Iran frees two Karoubi allies on bail: media

Abtahi's case sent to the revolutionary court (Farsi) |
پرونده محمدعلی ابطحی به دادگاه انقلاب منتقل شد

Iran to appoint clerics in all schools: report

Selected headlines from the Tehran Bureau

Many women's rights activists in Iran summoned to court over the past several days (Farsi) | احضار گسترده فعالان کمپین یک میلیون امضا به دادگاه

Former hostage marks 30th anniversary of Iran embassy takeover

Regime fears patriotism: Cyrus tomb blocked as hundreds try to celebrate 'father of human rights'

Tehran set to lose status as Iran capital

Iran warns of crackdown on any opposition protest

Jelveh Javaheri & Kaveh Mozafari of the 1milion signatures campaign summoned to court (Farsi) | جلوه جواهري و كاوه مظفري، از فعالان كمپين يك ميليون امضاء، به دادگاه انقلاب احضار شدند

Fariba Pajouh's father: My daughter cries from the treatment by prison guards (Farsi) | دخترم از برخورد زندانبانان فریاد می زد

Ahmadinejad Gets Cold Reception in Mashhad

Videos

News Update - October 30, 2009

Newslinks

Iran scholar urges U.S. to shift focus to democracy

Swiss envoy visits US detainees in Iran

Khamenei And The Student

Iran's Sunni militants carve secretive path

Selected headlines from the Tehran Bureau

Rights group says Iran “criminalizing” freedom of expression

Statement by 46 cinematographers: they want to shut down independent cinema (Farsi) | بیانیه 46 سینماگر سرشناس خطاب به ملت ایران: می خواهند سینمای مستقل را حذف کنند

UN peace prize for Ramin Jahanbeiglou (Farsi) | جایزه صلح برای رامین جهانبگلو

Iran 'frees editor' of opposition-run newspaper

Canada unveils UN resolution blasting Iran's rights record

Safeguarding Regime Even More Important than Prayers

Patience Run Out

Violent Extremists are Fermenting Animosity

Ahmadinejad hails new approach by the West

Fear of protest drives school closure

From Misc. Sources

- The nineteen people that were arrested in the religious ceremony a week ago are now being held hostage by the coup forces. They have been transferred to Evin prison. No other information about them is known.

- Grand Ayatollah Montazeri in solidarity with the families of political prisoners and victims of the post-election events did not hold a celebration for the anniversary of the Birthday of Imam Reza (the eight Imam of shias). He announced that: “Although today is a great day and is the anniversary of the Birthday of Imam... Reza (peace be upon him), but since many of our beloved scholars, those who are not only faithful individuals but also served this revolution and country passionately, are unfortunately in prison for false accusations; and to show solidarity and sympathy with the respected families of these loved ones, we did not hold a celebration today.” He also added: “During Shah’s time because many people were under oppression, Imam Khomeini announced not to hold the ceremony for the Birthday of the hidden Imam (which is one of the biggest celebrations in Shia’s calendar)”. At the end he expressed hope that the innocent prisoners be freed immediately and that God bless the authorities with more faith and wisdom so that they don’t repeat such acts.

- According to Tagheer website Mohammad Quchani, journalist and chief editor of Etemad-Melli newspaper (Karoubi’s official newspaper) who has been arrested after the presidential coup in June, was released from prison on bail early this morning (Oct 30th).

- Mahmoud Vahidnia, the student who bravely criticized Khamenei directly has been taken into custody by the IRGC, and apparently has not come home after his family had been told he would only be questioned for an hour. His family was contacted and told he is fine, but cannot talk. They were then threatened to not speak about the case.

-Two prisoners have died in Evin, due to lack of medical treatment.

Videos

News Update - October 25, 2009

Newslinks

Both Iran and West Fear a Trap on Uranium Deal

'Iran is our friend,' says Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Enemies want to disrupt Pak-Iran ties: Zardari

3 Year Prison Sentence for Young Mousavi Campaign Worker

Pictures of Karroubi after the assault by hardliners

Parlemannews report on Beheshti visiting Media Fair - The attackers were Gov news reporters (Farsi) | سربازان خبرنگارنمای گروه فشار به فرزند شهید بهشتی حمله کردند

Iran urges Pakistan to secure

Greens are not Revolutionaries

Iran arrests 12 accused of promoting satanism

A tale of modern Iran: a young woman's flight from her father

Media Fair, Ahmadinejad’s New Nightmare

Officers Take Away 71 Individuals

From Tweets
(Slightly edited for grammar and spelling.)

- A false rumour about Mousavi & Zahra Rahnavand divorce been circulated in coup gov media.

Videos

News Update - October 9, 2009

Newslinks

Interview with Shahpour Kazemi (Farsi) | شاهپور کاظمی و فرزندش در مکانی نامعلوم زندانی اند
Summary of article by anonymous: "Shahpour Kazemi, Brother of Zahra Rahnavard (Wife of Mir Hossein Mousavi) on Wednesday Oct 7th, after 50 days since his last phone call, in a short telephone conversation told his mother that he is now being held in an apartment in Tehran. He did not... know where this apartment was located and under what agency or organisation. Kazemi has been detained for more than 103 days and till few weeks ago was being held in Evin prison and now it is not clear whether the apartment he mentioned is part of Evin prison or is one of the illegal detention centers run by parallel organisations. He was in solitary confinement for more than 60 days and has been under severe pressure to do false “confessions”. This is while he has not been politically active at all and he has basically been held hostage to put pressure on Mousavi and Rahnavard. Shahin, Shahpour Kazemi’s eldest son, has also been arrested 22 days ago and was taken to an unknown location. Shahin just like his father was not involved in any political activities or election campaigns and he was also detained with the aim for putting pressure on Mousavi and Rahnavard."

Iran says choice of Obama is premature

Swine flu kills seven in Iran

Amnesty urges Iran to lift protester's death sentence

Chief of Tehran Police Sardar Rajabzadeh: Police didn't even kill one person (Farsi) | سردار رجب‌زاده: با درایت از نظام دفاع کردیم بدون این‌که یک نفر را بکشیم

A city councilor for Tabriz arrested for supporting Mousavi (Farsi) | بازداشت یك عضو شورای شهر تبریز، به جرم حمایت از میرحسین موسوی

Selected headlines from the Tehran Bureau

Top Iranian official: Iran will ‘blow up’ Israel
And they're wondering why the West is "bullying" them??

Behzad Nabavi might be released (Farsi) | احتمال آزادی بهزاد نبوی

Iran Gas Chief: Wants To Reach Output Of 1BCM/Day By 2014

1700 Pars Wagon workers on hunger strike (Farsi) | کارگر واگن پارس دست به اعتصاب غذا زدند 1700

L.A. plays host to Iranian film festival

From Tweets
(Slightly edited for grammar and spelling.)

- Many Basij are now talking about their unhappiness with govt.

Videos

News Update - October 8, 2009

Question to those that understand Farsi: does the text appear okay? I'm wondering if the right-to-left format is pasted properly into the text box.

Newslinks
Iranian nuke defections offer peek at shadow war

Former Iranian ministers and confidant of ex-president still in detention

Elite Guard in Iran Tightens Its Grip With Telecom Move

Chávez to Iran: How About Some Uranium?

Eldest son of Shahpour Kazemi has been arrested (Farsi) | با گذشت ۱۰۲ روز از دستگیری برادر، برادرزاده زهرا رهنورد نیز بازداشت شد
Summary of the article by anonymous: "After 102 days of custody for Shahpour Kazemi, Brother of Zahra Rahnavard, now reports say that his eldest son has been arrested. Mr Kazemi is a member of the board of Telecommunications trade, member of the board of UPS manufacturers and a prominent... figure in the telecommunication branch. His arrest has not been published in the first month, as Mrs. Rahnavard insisted on not using any extra bonus of fame in order to put pressure on the coup government, and hoped for fast resolve of this issue as Mr. Kazemi was absolutely not involved. But the coup government actually planned this arrest as a means of pressure (Hostage taking) and is going further with this plan by arresting now his eldest son."

Moscow Rejects Accusations of Assisting Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program

Letter: Human Rights paramount in negotiations

Iranian Revolutionary Court Sentences Monarchist to Death

Families exiled by Saddam return to Iraq

Recently released Zhila Bani-Yaghoub was summoned to court. (Farsi) | ژيلا بنی‌يعقوب به دادگاه احضار شد

Camp Ashraf groups vow to fight on

Iran activist sentenced to death for election protests

Iran's defense dignified -- supreme leader

Fighting for women's rights in Iran

Mother of Mohammad Davar, detained editor in chief of Saham News: Please release my son (Farsi) | مادر محمد داوری سردبیر بازداشت شده سحام نیوز:فقط پسرم را آزاد کنید

Iran plans to cut subsidised gasoline quota

More newspapers closed, more journalists detained

Mystery over Iranian researcher

Iran has second uranium enrichment plant

CIA chief: We already knew about Iran's second plant

From Tweets
(Slightly edited for spelling and grammar.)

- Hamas's calling 'Persian Gulf' Arabian should be used by the people to drive a wedge between the illegit Iran gov. and Hamas.

Videos

Iran News Update - October 07, 2009

Hello, as the author of this blog, I hope I am good job of helping to collect news from various sources, and spreading it around. I know I'm nowhere near the big guys, but I still want to and enjoy contributing my support for the brave people in Iran fighting for their freedom as well as trying to raise awareness for those that do not know what is going on.

If you have any questions, or critique for my blog you're very welcome to share your advice! I will be happy to hear what you think might improve this blog, as well as any other thoughts you might have! :)

Newslinks

Behnood Shjaei and Safar Angooti to be executed 11 and 21 of October
Please visit the link and contact the people listed to raise awareness of this unjust sentence!

Urgent Alert : Man Charged in State Security case at Risk of Execution

Iran sees U.S. role in researcher's disappearance

A Poly-technique university student was shot by the security forces (Farsi) | مرگ یک دانشجوی پلی تکنیک به ضرب گلوله ماموران انتظامی

Saudi king aiming to split Syria-Iran alliance

Iran says British policies not helpful to bilateral ties expansion

Dissident’s Tale of Epic Escape From Iran’s Vise

Iran sentences seven to death for cleric’s assassination

Police: No rape incident in Kahrizak (Farsi) | پلیس: در کهریزک تجاوزی روی نداده است

Revolutionary Guards buy 51% stake in Iran's telecommunications company

Iran's Police Chief Denies Allegations of Prisoner Rapes

Iraq releases Iranian dissidents

Rafsanjani continues to miss Fridays' prayers (Farsi) | ادامه غیبت آیت الله هاشمی رفسنجانی در نماز جمعه تهران

Chávez jokes about helping Iran build nuclear bomb

U.S. Presses Tehran to Free Two Detainees

Members of Teachers Association are Detained

Confusion among Officials and the Basij

From Tweets

- Workers at Pars Wagon company in Arak have gone on a hunger strike.

- The plant's deputy union leader Mohammad Reza Madahi: The workers haven't been paid in 75 days.

- This is the 9th time in the past 6 months that Pars Wagon workers have gone on strike.

From Misc. Sources
(I did not write these, they are copy/pasted from other sources.)

- In his most recent video broadcast, Mohsen Sazgara underscored a few points:
Workers of a factory in south of Iran are on strike for their wages. They have asked the greens for their support.

We are receiving precious information from the cleared out personnel of the ministry of information after the coup d'etat of information especially regarding the lessening number of oppressive members.
As a signal one can point to appointment of the militia 'baseej' which is a volunteer group to the revolutionary guards as a part of the army.
The government is worried about the 4th November governmental demonstration (anniversary of Iran's hostage crisis) to be hijacked by the green movement similar to Quds day demonstration and all the speeches repeating the point that everything is back to normal is actually saying that it is not.

- Ali Reza Beheshti Shirazi, one of Mir Hossein Mousavi supporters, responded to comments made by the commander of the Corps. He said that it is wrong to accuse 2 million people of being families of Savak (Shah secret service) and saying such a thing shows that the commander can't admit his mistakes. He then criticized the commander's engagement in propagating lies and slander against protesters and reformist leaders. He finished his talk by saying that it is still not too late and that this crisis can still be saved.

- In a letter to MohammadJavad Larijani and in response to his accusations of Khomeini's grandson to support the opposition, manager of Khomeini's publications has warned against a cultural and moral coup d'etat. Mohammad Ali Ansari has written in his letter that "Do you ever think that the protests might be to clear out the obscurities about the elections?" He has also said that "Those who believe that reality of Holocaust should be questioned and studied, why don't they allow a simple matter such as Iran's elections to be analyzed and studied?".

- Prior to presentation of a report on Kahrizak prison, Saeed Mortazavi (previous persecutor of Tehran and Ahmadreza Radan, commander of police force have reacted to it and refused to accept the accusations indicated in it in advance.

- Mr. Pezeshkian demanded investigations into the effect of satellite jumbling signals on human health. Recently, the government has increased its interference in satellite reception. Mr. Pezeshkian criticizes this because it is done with "no consideration of the health of the citizens".

- Hassan Rowhani, former deputy of Supreme National Security Council made statements during a meeting on the "Iranian national identity". He said it is an error to accuse people of anti-Islamic and anti-revolution behavior. During the past 30 years, there has been much effort to erase Iranian identity and rationalism. A political science professor in Iran responded to these comments by saying that these reconciliatory comments come too late when the crisis in Iranian society has already deepened.

- The One Million Signatures Campaign was presented on Tuesday with the Anna Politkovskaya award for courage, and the "voice of freedom" award from Die Quadriga Institute in Germany. This award is given to this group of women because are risking imprisonment to collect one million signatures on a petition demanding greater women's rights in Iran.

- Although after Saeed Hajjarian was released, the pro-government media announced that 20 more political prisoners would be also freed shortly, no famous imprisoned political activist or journalist has been freed in the last few days. On the contrary, many of them who were to be released on bail were prevented from being freed. The Tehran prosecutor, has ordered their incarceration to be continued, although it had been ruled by the judge that they should be released. This is a strange act, with no legal precedent. “Tehran’s prosecutor is our boss and we follow his orders” said the prosecutor of this case, addressing the complaints posed by the families of these prisoners.

- 12 members of Iran’s Teachers Union, who had been arrested earlier during one of their meetings in the house of the union leader, were freed after one day. They had convened in Ali Akbar Baghani’s house to commemorate the International Day of Teachers and were arrested by Iranian Intelligence officers.

Videos






Not Green-related, I know, but I just thought this was pretty cool.

Iran News Update - October 06, 2009

Newslinks

Selected headlines from the Tehran Bureau

Iran's women are not afraid

Iran's senior clerics Rafsanjani and Rohani condemn divisive comments

Iran to sue U.S. over illegal treatment of detained Iranian diplomats

Iran closes leading newspapers

'Ahmadinejad is Jewish' accusation may be political tactic by opposition

Iran looms over Turkish role in missiles

Head of Shiraz university: Some are creating problems by chanting Allah-o-Akbar (Farsi) | رئیس دانشگاه شیراز: عده ای با گفتن الله اکبر اخلال ایجاد می کنند

Release of Etemad Melli's editor in chief, Mohammad Ghouchani delayed (Farsi) | آزادی محمد قوچانی سردبیر روزنامه اعتماد ملی به تعویق افتاد

Hardliners criticized Ferdowsipour for using green charts on TV (Farsi) | حمله اصولگرایان به فردوسی پور بخاطر رنگ سبز نمودار !

The case of the missing Iranian nuclear physicist

Kahrizak Prison was a Minor Mistake

Press Court Jury Members Appointed

From Tweets
(Slightly edited for spelling and grammar.)

- After some minor students protest in Ponak Azad UNI yesterday Sec forces took students mobile phones.

- 6 Oct, Students of Ferdosi UNI Mashhad chanted Allah Akbar in UNIs cafeteria. Most of the students wear green wristlets.

- Tehran governorship asks Tehran city council members to stop visiting families of prisoners and victims.

- 5 Oct, Student protest in Khomeini International UNI of Ghazvin. More then 1000 students showing V-sign & singing anti-Gov songs.

- Eight female students expelled from UofT dorms.

From Misc. Sources

- Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, former president, visited Saeed Hajarian, (the prominent reformist figure who had survived an assassination attempt ten years ago but has been handicapped and in fragile health since then) at his home yesterday (Oct 5, 2009). Hajjarian was arrested after the election coup in June and had been detained under horrible conditions for 106 days. He was released from prison few days ago.

- Radio Farda: Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet and the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize laureate who is one of the key Peace advocate figures in the world, expressed solidarity with Iran’s green movement. Dalai Lama, who was scheduled to give a speech on Oct 27 in the Peace Conference in Vancouver, Canada, expressed his solidarity with the people of Iran by holding a green sign which read “Freedom for Iran”.

-Azizollah Rajabzadeh, Tehran’s Police Chief said that the Police forces do not need satisfaction of those he called “disruptive”. In an interview with Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), he said if one has been accused of chaos and harassing people’s lives and families, I would rather this person not be satisfied with Police [and its performance].

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