NEWS))))))
Two people hanged in connection with unrest in Iran
FRANCE 24 reported on January 28, that Tehran hung two men at dawn on Thursday, the first executions in connection with the widespread demonstrations following the disputed June 12 re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were charged with being members of a monarchist group and Mohareb, or enemies of God, who had planned to assassinate government officials as part of an attempted coup. Nasrin Sotoudeh, the lawyer for 19-year-old Rahmanipour, said her client was detained before the June poll and took no part in the post-election unrest. 'He was arrested in Farvardin (the Iranian month from March-April) before the election and charged with cooperation with the Kingdom Assembly,' she told Associated France Press. Sotoudeh described the charges against her client as 'political' and the court’s verdict as 'illegal and unjust'. He confessed because of threats against his family,' she said. Sotoudeh said she was shocked to hear of Thursday’s executions because both she and Rahmanipour’s family had been waiting to hear from the appeals court. She added that she had not been allowed to represent him at his initial trial in July, which she called a “show trial” in her remarks to AFP. In this country the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Friday issued a statement on the execution of two Iranians and the deterioration of the human rights situation in Iran. The statement reads: “Canada is deeply concerned by reports that the Government of Iran executed Mohammad Reza Ali-Zammani and Aresh Rahmanipour on January 28, 2010. The Iranian government’s ongoing persecution of Iranians for their political or religious beliefs or their ethnic affiliation is unacceptable.” “Canada once again calls on Iran to meet its domestic and international legal obligations, and further urges Iran to ensure that due process is respected for those detained.”
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National Council of Ressistance of Iran said in its statement on January 27th that the mullahs’ henchmen hanged a man on Wednesday in the central city of Esfahan, state-run Fars news agency reported.The man identified as Jamshid Hadian, 59, was executed in front of Esfahan 'court house,' the report said.
Huntsman stops sales in Iran on concern for government actions
Huntsman Corp., the world’s biggest maker of epoxy adhesives, said its foreign subsidiaries will discontinue sales in Iran due to concern over the government’s handling of protests of last year’s presidential election. The small amount of business done there does not justify the reputational risk currently associated with doing business with entities located in Iran due to growing international concern over the policies of the current regime,” Huntsman said in a statement. Siemens also says it would reject new orders from Iran. German engineering conglomerate Siemens said on Tuesday it would reject any further orders from Iran as world powers consider imposing wider sanctions on Tehran over its disputed nuclear activity.
Chants of”death to dictator“in large rally by pilgrims at Massoumeh Shrine in Iran
According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, at 8 pm local time on Thursday, January 28, 2010, a large number of pilgrims gathered inside and outside the Massoumeh shrine in the holy city of Qom and held protests with chants of “death to dictator” on the fortieth day after the death of Ayatollah Montazeri. The protests came amid the hanging of two political prisoners by the regime and the sentencing of 11 more on charges of “moharebeh” (waging war against God).
Monireh Rabei Sentenced to 5-Year Jail Term
Last Sunday, Monireh Rabei, an former political prisoner, was sentenced to a five-year jail term by branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court headed by Judge Pirabasi.The sentencing is connected to her contact with her uncle, who is based in Ashraf Camp, in Iraq. On October 7th, Ms. Rabei, 32, a chemical engineer, appeared in branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court’s investigative unit in response to a call by the court for inquiries, following which she was placed under arrest. Ms. Rabei is suffering from breathing difficulties and allergies, and despite her ailment she was held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison’s section 209 for 20 days, then was transferred to section 350, the women’s unit. Ms. Rabei has rejected the charges and has announced that her contact with her uncle is merely based on kinship. Camp Ashraf is a base for almost 3400 members of the People’s Mojaheding of Iran who have vowed to overthrow the Iranian regime.
Monday, January 25, 2010
NEWS))))))
SSF have arrested 400 students in Qazvin
According to Natioanl Council of Resistance of Iran, the Commander of the Iranian regime’s State Security Forces (SSF) in Qazvin, Massoud Jaafari-Nasab, confessed on Wednesday that at least 400 university students have been arrested in the city. NCRI added: He cited ridiculous and fabricated grounds for the arrests, including “attending various parties, birthday celebrations, and such activities”. Jaafari was appointed as Qazvin’s SSF Commander for his track record of services to the Iranian regime as well as his involvement in the suppression of dissidents in the course of the nationwide uprisings in Iran. Meanwhile, Morteza Hosseini, the representative of the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in the IRGC in Qazvin, described the country’s universities as the “source of corruption” and while voicing worries about a “cultural assault” in universities, added: “Since the enemy has attacked using the internet and satellites, its assault must be neutralized in universities.”
"If you want to stay in Iran, you must obey Supreme Leader"
Ahmad Khatami, on Friday prayer sermon warned the critics within the regime that "if they want to stay in the country", they have to stop making "double-sided positions" and have to "abide in practice the guidance of the Supreme leader (vali-e faqih)" because "preserving the regime is the most important duty". He emphasized that "there are only two fronts: a front of the revolution and a front of the counter revolution" and questioned "where do you stand; this side or that side?" Ahmad Khatami, who has come to the scene after Khamenei’s speech to elaborate his warnings, stressed that "cases of moharebin’s (enemies of God) are separate and the law has determined their fates."
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On Saturday a group of Iranian- Canadians in their weekly demonstrations gathered in front of the Parliament Hill to show their support for the uprising in Iran and to condemn the imminent executions of the protesters in recents months.
The parliament Hill was also a scene of another demonstratration against Parliament prorging on Saturday. People came out to show their unhappiness towards Prime Minister’s (Stephan Harper) decision to shut down parliament. The party leaders such as Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) and Jack Layton (New democrat) and also Elizabeth May from the Green party were among the speakers at the Parliament Hill. Similer demonstrations were held in veries cities around the country.
SSF have arrested 400 students in Qazvin
According to Natioanl Council of Resistance of Iran, the Commander of the Iranian regime’s State Security Forces (SSF) in Qazvin, Massoud Jaafari-Nasab, confessed on Wednesday that at least 400 university students have been arrested in the city. NCRI added: He cited ridiculous and fabricated grounds for the arrests, including “attending various parties, birthday celebrations, and such activities”. Jaafari was appointed as Qazvin’s SSF Commander for his track record of services to the Iranian regime as well as his involvement in the suppression of dissidents in the course of the nationwide uprisings in Iran. Meanwhile, Morteza Hosseini, the representative of the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in the IRGC in Qazvin, described the country’s universities as the “source of corruption” and while voicing worries about a “cultural assault” in universities, added: “Since the enemy has attacked using the internet and satellites, its assault must be neutralized in universities.”
"If you want to stay in Iran, you must obey Supreme Leader"
Ahmad Khatami, on Friday prayer sermon warned the critics within the regime that "if they want to stay in the country", they have to stop making "double-sided positions" and have to "abide in practice the guidance of the Supreme leader (vali-e faqih)" because "preserving the regime is the most important duty". He emphasized that "there are only two fronts: a front of the revolution and a front of the counter revolution" and questioned "where do you stand; this side or that side?" Ahmad Khatami, who has come to the scene after Khamenei’s speech to elaborate his warnings, stressed that "cases of moharebin’s (enemies of God) are separate and the law has determined their fates."
******
On Saturday a group of Iranian- Canadians in their weekly demonstrations gathered in front of the Parliament Hill to show their support for the uprising in Iran and to condemn the imminent executions of the protesters in recents months.
The parliament Hill was also a scene of another demonstratration against Parliament prorging on Saturday. People came out to show their unhappiness towards Prime Minister’s (Stephan Harper) decision to shut down parliament. The party leaders such as Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) and Jack Layton (New democrat) and also Elizabeth May from the Green party were among the speakers at the Parliament Hill. Similer demonstrations were held in veries cities around the country.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
NEWS))))))
Iranian regime’s police warns people against the use of SMS, emails to organize protests
Associate France Press reported on Friday that Iran’s police chief has warned opposition supporters against using text and email messages to organize rallies, ISNA news agency said Friday, amid reports new demonstrations are being planned. “These people should know where they are sending the SMS and email as these systems are under control. They should not think using proxies will prevent their identification," Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam said. “If these people continue, their data will be examined and those who organize or issue appeals have committed a worse crime than those who come to the streets," he warned. Iranian regime’s national police chief issued another warning on Friday, saying the era of “mercy” was over and that the authorities would begin cracking down more harshly not only on street protests but on anyone who used cell phone and email messages to publicize them .Iran’s cyber-savvy have used the Internet effectively since unrest erupted in Iran in June of 2009 to organize demonstrations and spread news and pictures. Despite a heavy crackdown by police, people take the streets on every possible occasion to stage anti-government rallies.
Iranian regime freeed mothers whose children have been killed or jaild in recent months
Iranian regime has released 30 mothers , who were arrested for protesting the death or disappearance of their children, last Saturday but were freed after 72 hours ressistance. The mothers took to Lale Park in Tehran yesterday, as part of their weekley demonstrations, where they were faced with heavily presence of the armed police figures. They stopped mothers from joining each other.
TV personality Shahin Mahinfar defiant over son’s death
According to The Sunday Times one of Iran’s most respected television presenters is resisting official pressure to deny claims her son was deliberately run over by security forces during an Opposition protest. Shahin Mahinfar, 61, who has been introducing programmes since the days of the Shah, was banned from state television premises after her 25-year-old son Amir Tajmir, a TV technician, was killed on December 27. Witnesses said he was run over twice by a police armoured personnel carrier in Tehran’s Vali Asr square during anti-government demonstrations marking the Ashura holy festival. Mobile phone footage appeared to support the allegations. Mahinfar has refused to return to the screen to issue a denial. News of her son’s death sent a wave of rage through Tehran. The footage of the alleged killing was downloaded by tens of thousands of Iranians.
Iranian regime’s police warns people against the use of SMS, emails to organize protests
Associate France Press reported on Friday that Iran’s police chief has warned opposition supporters against using text and email messages to organize rallies, ISNA news agency said Friday, amid reports new demonstrations are being planned. “These people should know where they are sending the SMS and email as these systems are under control. They should not think using proxies will prevent their identification," Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam said. “If these people continue, their data will be examined and those who organize or issue appeals have committed a worse crime than those who come to the streets," he warned. Iranian regime’s national police chief issued another warning on Friday, saying the era of “mercy” was over and that the authorities would begin cracking down more harshly not only on street protests but on anyone who used cell phone and email messages to publicize them .Iran’s cyber-savvy have used the Internet effectively since unrest erupted in Iran in June of 2009 to organize demonstrations and spread news and pictures. Despite a heavy crackdown by police, people take the streets on every possible occasion to stage anti-government rallies.
Iranian regime freeed mothers whose children have been killed or jaild in recent months
Iranian regime has released 30 mothers , who were arrested for protesting the death or disappearance of their children, last Saturday but were freed after 72 hours ressistance. The mothers took to Lale Park in Tehran yesterday, as part of their weekley demonstrations, where they were faced with heavily presence of the armed police figures. They stopped mothers from joining each other.
TV personality Shahin Mahinfar defiant over son’s death
According to The Sunday Times one of Iran’s most respected television presenters is resisting official pressure to deny claims her son was deliberately run over by security forces during an Opposition protest. Shahin Mahinfar, 61, who has been introducing programmes since the days of the Shah, was banned from state television premises after her 25-year-old son Amir Tajmir, a TV technician, was killed on December 27. Witnesses said he was run over twice by a police armoured personnel carrier in Tehran’s Vali Asr square during anti-government demonstrations marking the Ashura holy festival. Mobile phone footage appeared to support the allegations. Mahinfar has refused to return to the screen to issue a denial. News of her son’s death sent a wave of rage through Tehran. The footage of the alleged killing was downloaded by tens of thousands of Iranians.
Monday, January 11, 2010
NEWS))))))
Khamenei backs crackdown on protesters
The supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the authorities on Saturday to carry out their ’duties against the corrupt ones and the rioters,’ after a December 27 anti-government protest in which eight people were killed. Khamenei insisted that the rules be followed in confronting the protestors. ‘Everything should take place within the law and everyone should refrain from taking matters into their own hands,’ he advised. On Friday, opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi’s armoured car was hit by gunfire in the northern town of Qazvin, his party’s website reported, but only the windows of the car were damaged.Hundreds of people were arrested during the protests, at least 300 of whom are still being held in Tehran, police say.
Ashoura Protesters at Risk of Execution in Iran
Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities in a statement not to sentence to death protesters arrested during religious commemorations last month. Media reports say at least five demonstrators arrested during protests on Ashoura, 27 December, have been charged with moharebeh (enmity against God), which carries the death penalty. Amnesty International fears they could be tried imminently. The authorities have said that “rioting and arson” amounts to moharebeh, a criminal ofence usually used against those who take up arms against the state. ’The offences the protesters are accused of, do not amount to the ’most serious crimes’ for which the death penalty may be applied under international law. Even if they have committed such offences, they should not face the death penalty if convicted,’ said Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. ‘The authorities should ensure that anyone suspected of criminal offences related to the demonstrations, including stone throwing or acts of arson, is tried promptly and fairly, in proceedings which meet international fair trial standards, and that no one is sentenced to death.’ The news comes amid signs that the Iranian authorities may be planning to increase the use of the death penalty as a means to deter demonstrations. On 4 January, a group of 36 MPs proposed a motion to amend the Code of Criminal Procedures so that those convicted of moharebeh would be executed within five days of their conviction. Such a move would compromise the effective exercise of a defendant’s right to appeal.
This statement also reads: The authorities have accused various Opposition groups of orchestrating the unrest on Ashoura, notably the Baha’is, an unrecognized religious minority. At least 13 Baha’is have been arrested from their homes since the demonstrations. The Baha’i community denies any such involvement. In December, the lawyers for seven Baha’i leaders detained without trial for more than a year were informed their clients will be tried on Tuesday. They face charges of espionage and could be sentenced to death. Amnesty International believes that all 20 are prisoners of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally. ’Iranians should be free to assemble in peaceful protests to express their opinions, including about the government and human rights violations, and not face excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and unfair trial, or risk execution,’ said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. “Instead of allowing demonstrations to take place, the Iranian authorities are locking up anyone of a different viewpoint from theirs and are looking for scapegoats to blame for the unrest”.
Khamenei backs crackdown on protesters
The supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the authorities on Saturday to carry out their ’duties against the corrupt ones and the rioters,’ after a December 27 anti-government protest in which eight people were killed. Khamenei insisted that the rules be followed in confronting the protestors. ‘Everything should take place within the law and everyone should refrain from taking matters into their own hands,’ he advised. On Friday, opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi’s armoured car was hit by gunfire in the northern town of Qazvin, his party’s website reported, but only the windows of the car were damaged.Hundreds of people were arrested during the protests, at least 300 of whom are still being held in Tehran, police say.
Ashoura Protesters at Risk of Execution in Iran
Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities in a statement not to sentence to death protesters arrested during religious commemorations last month. Media reports say at least five demonstrators arrested during protests on Ashoura, 27 December, have been charged with moharebeh (enmity against God), which carries the death penalty. Amnesty International fears they could be tried imminently. The authorities have said that “rioting and arson” amounts to moharebeh, a criminal ofence usually used against those who take up arms against the state. ’The offences the protesters are accused of, do not amount to the ’most serious crimes’ for which the death penalty may be applied under international law. Even if they have committed such offences, they should not face the death penalty if convicted,’ said Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. ‘The authorities should ensure that anyone suspected of criminal offences related to the demonstrations, including stone throwing or acts of arson, is tried promptly and fairly, in proceedings which meet international fair trial standards, and that no one is sentenced to death.’ The news comes amid signs that the Iranian authorities may be planning to increase the use of the death penalty as a means to deter demonstrations. On 4 January, a group of 36 MPs proposed a motion to amend the Code of Criminal Procedures so that those convicted of moharebeh would be executed within five days of their conviction. Such a move would compromise the effective exercise of a defendant’s right to appeal.
This statement also reads: The authorities have accused various Opposition groups of orchestrating the unrest on Ashoura, notably the Baha’is, an unrecognized religious minority. At least 13 Baha’is have been arrested from their homes since the demonstrations. The Baha’i community denies any such involvement. In December, the lawyers for seven Baha’i leaders detained without trial for more than a year were informed their clients will be tried on Tuesday. They face charges of espionage and could be sentenced to death. Amnesty International believes that all 20 are prisoners of conscience who should be released immediately and unconditionally. ’Iranians should be free to assemble in peaceful protests to express their opinions, including about the government and human rights violations, and not face excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and unfair trial, or risk execution,’ said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. “Instead of allowing demonstrations to take place, the Iranian authorities are locking up anyone of a different viewpoint from theirs and are looking for scapegoats to blame for the unrest”.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
NEWS))))))
Iran diplomat quits over protests:
Washington Post, Reuters, Oslo, January 6, 2010 - A diplomat at the Iranian embassy in Oslo told Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Wednesday that he has resigned in protest over a crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran denied the report. ’It was the Iranian authorities’ treatment of demonstrators during the Christmas week that made me realize I couldn’t continue,’ NRK quoted Mohammed Reza Heydari as saying. NRK said Heydari has served as a consul at the embassy for the last three years.
Iran diplomat quits over protests:
Washington Post, Reuters, Oslo, January 6, 2010 - A diplomat at the Iranian embassy in Oslo told Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Wednesday that he has resigned in protest over a crackdown on anti-government demonstrators in Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran denied the report. ’It was the Iranian authorities’ treatment of demonstrators during the Christmas week that made me realize I couldn’t continue,’ NRK quoted Mohammed Reza Heydari as saying. NRK said Heydari has served as a consul at the embassy for the last three years.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
NEWS))))))
Political prisoners on the verge of execution
The Iranian regime is getting ready to issue death sentences for the protesters who were arrested on Ashura day (last Sunday).
Reisi, the secretary of the regime's Judiciary said in a television interview that the people who clashed with the regime's forces on the streets on Sunday are considered to be Mohareb (he who wages war against God) and must be punished.
Chinese-made armored anti-riot trucks, equipped with plows, may arrive in TehranPolitical prisoners on the verge of execution
The Iranian regime is getting ready to issue death sentences for the protesters who were arrested on Ashura day (last Sunday).
Reisi, the secretary of the regime's Judiciary said in a television interview that the people who clashed with the regime's forces on the streets on Sunday are considered to be Mohareb (he who wages war against God) and must be punished.
The Los Angeles Times, January 1, 2010 wrote: an Opposition news website is reporting that Iran has imported high-tech armored anti-riot vehicles equipped with water cannons that can douse people with boiling water or teargas.
The website said the vehicles were a rush order from their manufacturers in China, Dalian Eagle-Sky, according to the blogger Sohrebestan. With an alleged price of $650,000 a unit, the 25-ton trucks each hold 2,640 gallons of water, which can shoot hot or cold water at a distance of up 220 feet. They can also shoot tear gas, burning chemicals or paint stored in three 26-gallon containers.
It includes a plow, which can presumably demolish makeshift barriers placed on streets by protesters, or even the demonstrators themselves. Iranian protesters torched police vehicles and motorcycles during anti-government riots last weekend, when police trucks allegedly ran over at least one demonstrator.
Iran nuclear ’ultimatum’ changes nothing: Germany
Associated France Press reported; Germany said Saturday that Iran’s ultimatum for the West to accept a uranium swap deal within a month, or else it would produce its own nuclear fuel for a reactor, changed nothing.
AFP added: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki issued the challenge on Saturday, state television reported. The ’situation has not changed,’ a Germany foreign ministry spokesman told AFP. ’The proposal of the international community remains valid. Iran must seize this opportunity.’ The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), had proposed that Iran ship most of its low-enriched uranium to Russia and France for processing into fuel for the research reactor. But Tehran rejected a December 31 deadline to accept this, risking new UN sanctions.
On Tuesday it said however it was ready to swap abroad its low-enriched uranium for nuclear fuel, while insisting the exchange happen in stages. World powers suspect that Iran wants to produce uranium for military purposes, despite repeated denials from Tehran.
Iran is already under three sets of UN sanctions for refusing to abandon its sensitive programme of uranium enrichment, the process which produces nuclear fuel or, in highly extended form, the fissile core of an atomic bomb AFP said.
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