News Update - December 26, 2009

Live-Blogging Ashura Protests in Iran - Visit this site if you want the latest news on the events happening right now.

News Links

Iran's perfect storm

Tasua Videos & Headlines

Defiant in Tehran

Coordination Center for National Iranian Armed Resistance Forces declares its existence.

Going rogue - the militarization of Iran

Iran hit by new clashes as crowds protest during religious ceremonies

Newspaper honors slain Iranian protester

Iran's Green movement prepared for street protest against hardline regime mullahs

Iranian student killed in riots named 'person of the year'

Iraq accuses Iran of border violations

Live-blog: Eve of Ashura

Tehran Protesters Defy Ban and Clash With Police

Iran's Regime On The Ropes

Riot police clash with protesters in Tehran

'I Am Convinced that the Regime Will Collapse'

The youth branch of the participation front has issued statement on Ashura/Tasua (Farsi)

Clashes erupt in Iran on Shi'ite holy day

Iranians Attacked In Anti-Regime Protests

Young Man who Filmed Protests Arrested

Zahra Rahnavard: Me & Mousavi breathe with the green movement (Farsi)

19th statement by families of political prisoners (Farsi)

Chronicling the choreography of Tehran's political theater of the streets

Special guards have attacked ISNA news agency (Farsi)

Heaving clashes between people & forces at Pol-e-Choobi reported (Farsi)

After inviting people to green Ashura ceremonies, Dr Khazali's website is taken down (Farsi)

2010: Regime Change in Iran

Witnesses report fierce clashes at Tehran protest

Tehran police 'fire tear gas at opposition protesters'

Sirjan Executions + Complete Information

From Tweets

- The death toll during Sirjan execution row has risen to 10.

- People chanting "This is the month of blood - Khamenei will be toppled."

- Mohseni Square has been 'renamed' by protesters as Rahnavard Square after today's attack.

- People in Tehran's BRT buses chanting "Death to Dictator" very loudly.

- Kalameh reports that there will be no Ashura festivities in Imam Khomeini's shrine this year.

- I can now confirm the arrest of at least 3 people in Tehran. The number is might be much higher.

- In Tehran, some people also gathered around Tehran University today. Later went to other areas.

- Still cannot confirm attack on Tehran University dorms. Please treat with caution.

- New chant, "Moawiye (first Muslim 5th Muslim caliph, totalitarian) Have shame - Leave the Empire".

- Most protesters in Tehran seemed to have either dispersed or have started to go home.

- No news of deaths today either. (Really glad we've gone without deaths for some time now).

- Heavy security presence in Tehran even though most protests are over or calming.

- Security forces in Tehran attacked cars honking their horns on Azadi Street and beat many drivers.

- A 22 year old was arrested in Tehran for attempting to make a video of protests - and beaten.

- Reports that the occupants of a bus were all arrested in Tehran for chanting anti-gov slogans.

- There are reports that some Basijis today were wearing masks again to hide their identities.

- Khatami's speech last night at Hosseiniye Jamaran cut-off in the middle after plainclothesmen attack.

- Even though venue was 'protected' by sec. forces, attackers go in.

- Attackers at Jamaran were chanting slogans in support of Khamenei.

- Several people were hurt in the attack on Jamaran. People were also hurt when attacked outside.

- Attendance was high. Fayezeh and Fatemeh Hashemi - Rafsanjani's daughters - were present at Jamaran.

- Also present at Jamran was Yaser Khomeini. Rafsanjani's daughters and Yaser were not hurt.

- Clashes later continued between thousands of people and Sec. Forces outside Jamaran for hours.

- ISNA has confirmed that its offices were attacked by Sec. Forces yesterday.

- ISNA also reports that one of their reporters was injured during the attack.

- Sec. Forces attacked ISNA after some protesters escaped from Enghelab Square and took refuge there.

- Mobile, SMS, email, messenger services in Tehran severely disrupted. Some mesages getting through, but with great difficulty.

- Many of those wounded in Yaser & Niavaran tonight were taken to Imam Khomeini hospital.

- Tonight at Niavaran at least 7-8 arrested & many wounded.

- The Niavaran police station was the worst. They passed others to beat people first.

- In Niavaran park plain cloth bikers attacked people from the north.

- Tear gas fired by special unit forced people to stay at Niavaran park instead of going to Tajrish.

- Khatami was taken out of Jamaran for safety reason, this group attacked the people & broke windows.

- As Khatami was speaking at Jamaran, a group of plainclothes chanting pro Khamenei slogans attacked.

- Special forces using electric batons to disperse people in Jamaran.

- Police have fired tear gas at Yaser ave.

- Plain cloth bikers attacked people with stones.

- Heavy traffic in all roads in Tehran tonight - sound of cars blowing horns can be heard everywhere.

- Basijis have attacked people, broken the doors of Jamaran mosque & entered it.

- 50 plain cloth entered into Beit of Imam and attacked Khatami's lecture.

- One woman hit by direct teargas cartridge in Jamaral.

- They fractured the skull of one ISNA person & badly beat up another employee.

- After shots in the air & tear gas, people at Jamaran threatened of orders for direct shots.

- Mourning Mothers beaten and insulted about two hours ago in Tehran's Laleh Park, Sat, Dec 26.

- Ahmadinejad under heavy Security Force Support Arrived to Massjed e Arak.

- Between Azadi SQ & Imam Housein SQ, they are pulling license plates off cars, pulling drivers out & beating them.

- Tehran is calmer. IRGC & police in Enghelab square, Imam Hossein, Ferdowsi, Vali-asr. Small clashes continue.

- Plain cloths tried to arrest a younge boy who was chanting but people stopped them.

- Plain cloths among people to arrest the "leaders".

- Basijis dressed in black chanted they are ready to become martyrs.

- Anti riot guards on bikes with batons prevent people to even walk on the sidewalks.

- Sec forces prevent people to move against Enghelab Sq/Azadi Sq/Emam Hossien Sq/Ferdowsi Sq.

- Agents are searching personal items at some metro stations, cell phones are being checked, some have been confiscated.

- Credible reports of some lower rank security personnel not interested in clashing with people.

- People trying to help unconscious woman face police resistance in Imam Hossein Sq.

- Large mass of people crossing Pole Karim Khan. Reports of clashes here too.

- People have broken through the lines of security forces at Parke Daneshjo and Valiasr

- Clashes in Kharak Avenue as well. Number of people growing by the minute

- Now chanting: Natarsid Natarsid, Don't fear, we are all together in this.

- People in Tehran also chanting, "Why are you silent? Tehran has become Karbala!".

- A motorcycle belonging to the Special Guards was moments ago put on fire by the people.

- Police seems to be backing off and retreating.

Misc. Sources

- FROM REVOLUTIONARY ROAD: 11:46 According to Aljazira TV, police forces have lost control over situation in Tehran.People are attacking basij with stone. Clashes continue at Imam Hussain Sq.

Video

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News Update - December 25, 2009

News Links

Thursday at Toopkhaneh

Letter from Tehran

Iranian student protester Neda Soltan is Times Person of the Year

BBC Farsi Disrupted Across the Globe

Ashura 101

Leak : Desperate SNSC vs. Realistic Greater Tehran Police.

Stop Massive Arrests and Persecutions Against CHRR Members

IRAN: Former prisoner says interrogators increasingly indifferent to Ahmadinejad

Ayatollah Montazeri's Legacy

What Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Meant to Iranians

Iran aims to improve image in Arab world

Ebadi: History will appreciate Ayatollah Montazeri

Iran cleric urges unity during Shiite ceremonies

Leaked : Urgent and Top Secret letter by Expediency council to Supreme Leader today

From The Grapevine : Soldiers talk.

Houses of Ayatollah Montazeri and Sanei Attacked

The Masoud Lavasani Story: An Imprisoned Father Who Will Not See his Son for 8 Years

Mourning Mothers Place Flowers for Freedom-Fighting Martyrs

Arrests Continue and No Word on Navid SoltanPoor’s Condition

Hassan Roohani: Society is Becoming Radicalized

From Tweets

- Source Old Friend: hospital source says most Tehran hospitals has plainclothes waiting 4 arrival of injured marchers.

- Ayatollah Taheri denies the reported Tasua Ashora schedule that has been published under his name.

- Mahmud Drd Kashan one of Ayatollah Montazeri’s close friend arrested in Esfahan today.

- People attacked by plainclothes at the beginning but fought back. Plainclothes had to leave Ghahdrijan.

- People crushed the door of Behshti Mosque in Ghahdrijan today & held mourning ceremony for Montazeri until 4pm.

- Antiriot guards have surrounded streets around Khamenei’s resident in Tehran since last night.

- Streets are crowed, more people coming out to watch the rallies. No Green rally plan for today.

- Plain clothes agents walks side by side the mourners.

- Heavy presence of Sec forces in all main streets and squares in Tehran 12:00.

- The mourning mothers held a memorial service at Behesht Zahra today & placed flowers on graves of the martyrs.

- Status & whereabouts of Tehran Uni student Navid Soltanpour arrested Nov 4 is still unknown.

- 3 Mashhad Ferdowsi Uni were arrested after students protested the cancellation of Ayatollah Montazeri services.

- Beheshti Uni diciplinary office is trying to find the organizers of the student protest.

- Over 100 Beheshti Uni students summoned by disciplinary office in recent days. 15 have been banned from dorm facilities.

- People taking over Ghahdrijan and none sec forces or plainclothes were present at 4pm today.

- Sec forces locked & blocked entrance of Shahid Behshti Mosque in Ghahdrijan today again.

- Clashes in the city of Ghadrijan at Shahid Behshti Masque yesterday. Sec forces tried to prevent mourning ceremony.

- Many of the shop owners in Tehran Bazaar are from the cities there been clashes during the last week.

- Tehran bazaar have traditional mourning ceremony Ashura Tasoa every year. Intel agent try to stop it this year.

- Many shops in Tehran bazaar been closed since yesterday. Sec forces present at all the entrances & nearby streets.

- Emam Khomeni St and all the nearby streets are blocked by Sec forces for the mourners.

- Guards gathered at IRGC ’s base “Zahra”. Emam Khomeini St is full of IRGC buses.

- Antiriot guards have surrounded streets around Khamenei’s resident in Tehran since last night.

- Several Groups of 50-100s of mourners rally in Kargar st , Mowlavi St and Khayam St.

- Somaye was arrested & released Dec 13th. She was summoned to the Rev court at Dec 19th where she was arrested again.

- Mousavi and Karroubi will join the rally in Tehran in Ashura.

Photos

All Shops closed at Najafabad Bazaar during Ayatollah Montazeri’s funeral

Bazaar Ghom during Ayatollah Montazeri ’s funeral

Video





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News Update - December 24, 2009

How to help those recently arrested

URGENT: Majid Tavakkoli under risk of torture

Vote for Iran as Face of the Year

Iran Bans Santa (Not a real news article, but I thought it was hilarious)

News Links

2009: The year of living fecklessly

Multiple sources: Iranians calling Khamenei Yazid. Yazid is despised in Shia Islam for killing Imam

Help Iranians. Stop worrying about the bomb

Protests loom in Iran as holy day nears

IRGC blocked web site of Ayatollah Montazeri (Farsi)

Sarkozy calls French academic on trial in Iran

Detained French female academic a pawn between France, Iran

Reformists Establish Headquarters For Organizing Ayatollah Montazeri's Services

Iran jails former government spokesman

Iran regime bans mourning

Khatami visited Ramezanzadeh who has been released on bail for 5 days (Farsi)

Article in Parelemannews claims plans for next presidential election have already been formed (Farsi)

New Clash Reported In Iran's Northwest

Report on today's portest in Tehran, Imam Khomeini square (Toopkhaneh) (Farsi)

Tension in Iran embassy in France, apparently greens harassed by Iranian officials

Ahmadinejad Equates Crackdown in Iran to Policing of G-20 Protests in Pittsburgh and London

Iran warns that it will deal 'fiercely' with protesters

Was Grand Ayatollah Montazeri Poisoned? Is He the Last One?

Elkins Park hiker, two others still detained in Iran

Iran Police Shoot Dead 2 in Melee During Execution

Iranian Court Sentences Prominent Reformist to 6 Years in Jail

The Parents of Shiva Nazar Ahari Write a Letter to the Expert Intelligence Ministry

Public Relations Statement of Tehran Public Court and Revolution about Mirtahmasb Not Being Able to Leave Iran

Conciliation Meeting to Get Permission from Victim’s Parents in the case of Amir Pahlavani, a Teenager on Death Row

Rashid Esma’ili Arrested

A Murder in Baneh, Kurdistan by Oppressive Government Forces

From Tweets

- Two members of Iran arts academy resign in protest, Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi & Mohammad Mehdi Heidarian.

- Ayatollah Taheri has announced 7th day memorial services in Esfahan for Ayatollah Montazeri which coincides with Tasoa Ashura.

- People in Zanjan prepare themselves 4 the first Moharam rally this year. Informing each other with flyers & phone.

- People & known clerics gathered at Bayat Zanjani’s house to mourn Montazeri last night.

- Minor clashes outside & some people prevented by Sec forces to join the mourners at Zanjani’s house.- Imam Montazeri's grandson arrested in Qom by Security Forces.

- And Montazeri's grandon has been released an hour after his arrest.

- Moharam rallies in Zanjan are always crowed and starts at the seven day of Moharam (Today).

- Zanjan MP, Jamshid Ansari was present at Bayat Zanjani’s house to mourn Montazeri last night.

- Rouydad : leak : Ministry of Intel&Sepah;plan to send fake Greens on to streets during Moharam, to attack ordinary mourners, start fights, damage properties, insult Islam & Imams.

- 1/2 On Thurs a Quran reading session was being held at Ayatollah Montazeri's home for a group of women.

- 2./2 Agents stopped it & arrested Ayt Montazeri granddaughter. She was released after an hour.

- Reformist Dr. Abdollah Ramezanzadeh denying all reports of his conversations with his visitors after his release.

- Mousavi's FB:Coup agents planning to sabotage Moharram mourning ceremonies by staging a party tomorrow Dec 25) & blame Green.

- 18 students banned 1-2 terms. Disciplinary office at Tabriz U. threaten to ban more students if protests continues.

- Students at Azad Uni Tabriz plan hunger strike in protest to the threats from the disciplinary office.

- Internet working again in some parts of Zanjan but the speed is very low.

- Banks unable to function properly in Zanjan today. Internet has been cut off in Zanjan since yesterday.

- People gather at Bayat Zanjani’s house right now. Plainclothes & Sec forces outside.

- Clashes outside Cinema Bahman & Enghelab Square in Zanjan earlier today.

- 10am today: Sec forces went inside Giyahi Masque in Tajrish & forced people out who gathered
to mourn Montazeri

- Emam Sq (Toopkhone) is quit now. Sec forces control the streets. Protesters gone only forces & Basij left 5:30pm.

- Sec forces in the streets attack people in cars. Motorbikes & plainclothes attack people & shop owners on the sidewalks.

- 5-6000 Greens at Emam khomenie Sq chanting, Anti riot motorbikes attacked people 5pm.

- Clashes in streets around Emam square, plainclothes have arrested several people. All the slogans are anti Khamenei now.

- Participation Front members Dr. Mohamad Kianoush Rad & Ali Samizadeh have been released from Evin.

- Blogger reporting clashes in Zanjan(unconfirmed). Ayt Bayat Zanjani invited people to attend service today for Ayatollah Montazeri.

- Ayatollah Montazeri web site has been offline since Tuesday. Gov trying to stop more people becoming familiar with his ideals.

- HR activist Shiva Nazarahari arrested on her way to Qom to attend Ayatollah Montazeri services has called family from Evin.

- Abdollah Ramezanzadeh has been sentenced to 6 years. He was arrested 2 days after election & is out on bail for 5 days.

Photos

Greens leave their mark on Khamenei pic In Bandar Abbas

Video