Protests took place to commemorate 3 days since the martyrdom of those killed on bloody Ashura. Regime presence was very heavy with reports of even military units on the streets. Protests could not become sustained and large, but this video from Tehran shows that people still took to the streets.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Juice Protest
Khamenei should pray the Green Movement doesn't give out juice boxes to his supporters or it is all over for him.
MP Office Set on Fire
The story from Mousavi's Facebook:
Plain clothes militia set the office of Nasrollah Torabi, one of the reformist members of the parliament and representative of the people of ShahreKurd (west of Iran), on fire last night. Torabi in an interview with ParlemanNews said that after his speech in the parliament in criticism of the government some banners were distributed against him throughout the city of Shahrekurd with the support of the governor’s office.
He added: “In the middle of the night some made their last pathetic attempt and set the office of a representative of the people on fire with the aim of silencing the members of the parliament.” He continued: “These individuals don’t want anyone to say anything in their criticism or against their will and they want everyone in the society acts as they wish and even if someone criticises them they ask their agents in cities to set their offices on fire so that they intimidated other members of the parliament and make them keep quiet.” Torabi asked people to be patient regarding this incident and said: “The intelligence bodies and their affiliated organisations should act immediately and confront those responsible for this act.” He also raised the question how come the Iranian intelligence service have surveillance on even the slightest thing that someone says on a cell phone but they could not stop or confront those who have committed this organised and premeditated attack!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Green Protests vs. Kabob Protests
The first part of the this video shows a peaceful Green protest being attacked by the regime.
There was a pro-regime protest today with a few thousand people showing up. As the second part of the video shows, the main attraction seems to have been free Kabob being passed out.
There was a pro-regime protest today with a few thousand people showing up. As the second part of the video shows, the main attraction seems to have been free Kabob being passed out.
Mousavi's Martyred Nephew Buried
Here is an article in Farsi about it and an account in English from Mousavi's Facebook:
Today (Dec 30) funeral of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew, Seyyed Ali Habibi Mousavi who was shot and martyred on Aashura, was held under heavy security presence. Body of Seyyed Ali Mousavi, that was taken from the hospital without the knowledge of his family by secrete police with the excuse of “further investigations and autopsy”, was only given back to his family with the condition that the funeral ceremony would be held without public knowing about it and only immediate family members were able to attend the burial ceremony. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard, his wife, were among those who attended the funeral today. May he rest in peace.
Today (Dec 30) funeral of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew, Seyyed Ali Habibi Mousavi who was shot and martyred on Aashura, was held under heavy security presence. Body of Seyyed Ali Mousavi, that was taken from the hospital without the knowledge of his family by secrete police with the excuse of “further investigations and autopsy”, was only given back to his family with the condition that the funeral ceremony would be held without public knowing about it and only immediate family members were able to attend the burial ceremony. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard, his wife, were among those who attended the funeral today. May he rest in peace.
Night Protests in Isfahan
Not just in Tehran, but protests keep going in Isfahan as these night protests in Isfahan show:
Shrin Ebadi on Arrest of Sister
She has put out a statement:
I hereby declare that my sister Dr. Noushin Ebadi who is a Medical lecturer at Azad University of Tehran was detained by four officers from the counter-intelligence agency of Islamic Republic of Iran.
She was arrested at 9 pm today (28/12/2009) at her home in Tehran. At present, we have no information of her whereabouts.
During the past two months, my sister had been contacted by the elements within the government and told in no uncertain terms to contact me and persuade me to cease my activities as a human rights advocate. It was strongly suggested that she should leave her apartment which is within the same block as my apartment in Tehran. She was told that her failure to cooperate with them will result in her arrest. I initially did not take this seriously, but I’m sad and upset to see that this was not an empty threat.
It is important to note that my sister is not politically active nor is she a member of any human right organisation. Her only crime seems to be that she is my sister and her arrest is nothing less than a political blackmail and attempted pressure. This is another method employed by the authorities in Iran to stop my activities.
I hereby draw the attention of the Iranian judiciary to this unlawful and wrongful arrest of a member of my family for political gain by the government of Iran and I call for immediate release of my sister.
Iran is currently in turmoil and these unlawful and illegal actions will only have negative effect. What is needed in Iran is peaceful dialogue and tolerance.
Shirin Ebadi
I hereby declare that my sister Dr. Noushin Ebadi who is a Medical lecturer at Azad University of Tehran was detained by four officers from the counter-intelligence agency of Islamic Republic of Iran.
She was arrested at 9 pm today (28/12/2009) at her home in Tehran. At present, we have no information of her whereabouts.
During the past two months, my sister had been contacted by the elements within the government and told in no uncertain terms to contact me and persuade me to cease my activities as a human rights advocate. It was strongly suggested that she should leave her apartment which is within the same block as my apartment in Tehran. She was told that her failure to cooperate with them will result in her arrest. I initially did not take this seriously, but I’m sad and upset to see that this was not an empty threat.
It is important to note that my sister is not politically active nor is she a member of any human right organisation. Her only crime seems to be that she is my sister and her arrest is nothing less than a political blackmail and attempted pressure. This is another method employed by the authorities in Iran to stop my activities.
I hereby draw the attention of the Iranian judiciary to this unlawful and wrongful arrest of a member of my family for political gain by the government of Iran and I call for immediate release of my sister.
Iran is currently in turmoil and these unlawful and illegal actions will only have negative effect. What is needed in Iran is peaceful dialogue and tolerance.
Shirin Ebadi
Regime Attacks Peaceful Protests
This video from Ashura clearly shows a peaceful protest when suddenly regime thugs attack the group at the end of the video:
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Updated List of Those Arrested
Updated list of those arrested in wake of Ashura protests:
Haleh Sahabi, a daughter of Ezatollah Sahabi, leader of the Nationalist-Religious Coalition; she had also been arrested after the rigged June 12 presidential election [there are also reports circulating that she has not been arrested];
Mohammad Taheri, a son of Ayatollah Seyyed Jalaloddin Taheri, a progressive cleric and close friend of the late Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri;
Mohammad Moein, a son of Dr. Mostafa Moein, former Minister of Science and Research in the administration of Mohammad Khatami, a former Majles deputy, and a reformist candidate in the 2005 presidential election;
Habibollah Nouri, a brother of Abdollah Nouri, Khatami's Interior Minister and an outspoken reformist. In addition, his son Reza and nephew Mehdi have also been arrested, all in Isfahan, where it is estimated that up to 500 people were arrested yesterday.
Leila Tavassoli, a daughter of Mohammad Tavassoli, a leading figure of the Freedom Movement, a reformist group, and Tehran's first Mayor after the 1979 Revolution. Tavassoli is a niece of Dr. Ebrahim Yazdi, the leader of the Freedom Movement.
Shahpour Kazemi, brother of Dr. Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi's wife. He had been imprisoned for two months, and has been given a one year sentence.
Ali Mehrdad of the Freedom Movement, and a son of Farideh Ghayrat, a leading member of Iran's Bar Association and a defense attorney for several prisoners.
Haleh Sahabi, a daughter of Ezatollah Sahabi, leader of the Nationalist-Religious Coalition; she had also been arrested after the rigged June 12 presidential election [there are also reports circulating that she has not been arrested];
Mohammad Taheri, a son of Ayatollah Seyyed Jalaloddin Taheri, a progressive cleric and close friend of the late Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri;
Mohammad Moein, a son of Dr. Mostafa Moein, former Minister of Science and Research in the administration of Mohammad Khatami, a former Majles deputy, and a reformist candidate in the 2005 presidential election;
Habibollah Nouri, a brother of Abdollah Nouri, Khatami's Interior Minister and an outspoken reformist. In addition, his son Reza and nephew Mehdi have also been arrested, all in Isfahan, where it is estimated that up to 500 people were arrested yesterday.
Leila Tavassoli, a daughter of Mohammad Tavassoli, a leading figure of the Freedom Movement, a reformist group, and Tehran's first Mayor after the 1979 Revolution. Tavassoli is a niece of Dr. Ebrahim Yazdi, the leader of the Freedom Movement.
Shahpour Kazemi, brother of Dr. Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi's wife. He had been imprisoned for two months, and has been given a one year sentence.
Ali Mehrdad of the Freedom Movement, and a son of Farideh Ghayrat, a leading member of Iran's Bar Association and a defense attorney for several prisoners.
Mostafa Izadi, who worked for the reformist daily Etemad [trust]. He was the founder and managing editor of Ava [sound], a reformist publication from 1997-2000. It was closed by the hardliners for "propagating [Grand Ayatollah] Montazeri's thinking." He has also published a book about Grand Ayatollah Montazeri.
Dr. Alireza Beheshti, the managing editor of Kalame [word], Mousavi's official site. He is a son of Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Beheshti, a close aide of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the first judiciary chief after the 1979 Revolution killed in a bomb blast in June 1981.
Emad Baghi, the distinguished investigative journalist and head of the Society for the Defense of the Rights of the Imprisoned. He has already been jailed twice in the past. When he was arrested at his home today, he told his family that, "he would be strong in jail, and resist pressure [by hardliners]." The security agent arresting him reportedly responded that "He [Baghi] will not live that long to resist."
Morteza Kazemian, a reformist journalist who wrote for the daily Etemaad-e Melli [national trust] (before it was closed in July), and the Rooz news site.
Mahmoud (Mashallah) Shamsolvaezin, a distinguished reformist journalist.
Nasrin Vaziri, reporter for ILNA, the reformist news agency.
Kayvan Etemad, political editor of the daily Etemad [trust].
Reza Tajik, the journalist close to the Nationalist-Religious Coalition, and political editor of the reformist dailies Shargh [east] and Kargozaran [executives], which were closed by the hardliners.
Mohammad Javad Mozaffar, publisher and head of Kavir [desert], a publishing house.
Mohammad Javad Saberi, reformist journalist.
Badrolsadat Mofidi, reformist journalist and Secretary General of the Association of Iranian Journalists.
The university activists arrested include,
Dr. Mohammad Sadegh Rabbani, a retired chemistry professor at the University of Tehran, who was active in human rights issues;
Hashmatollah Tabarzadi, a university activist who has spent an aggregate of seven years in jail;
Mehdi Arabshahi, Secretary General of Daftar-e Tahkim Vahdat [Office for Consolidation of Unity (OCU)], Iran's most important organization for university students;
Rashid Esmaili, a member of the central committee of the OCU;
Reza Nikookar and Mehdi Ebrahimi, two university activists at Sari University [in northern Iran], and
Morteza Haji, former minister of education in the second Khatami administration, and head of BARAN, the NGO that Khatami established for promoting dialogue;
Reza Rasouli, deputy to Haji;
Ghorban Behzadinejad, Mousavi's campaign manager;
Mohammad Bagherian, a senior aide to Mousavi;
Ali Forouzandeh, Mousavi's Chief of Staff;
Dr. Ebrahimi Yazdi, leader of the reformist Freedom Movement, who was also arrested for three days after the June election as well;
Abolfazl Ghadyani, a member of the central committee of the Islamic Revolution Mojahedin Organization (one of the most important reformist groups), who was also active against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi before the 1979 Revolution;
Seyyed Abolfazl Mousavian, Secretary General of the Association of Teachers and Researchers of Qom, a reformist clerical organization.
Dr. Sayyed Hossein Mousavian, a leading member of the National Front.
Mansoureh Shojaei, the women's right activist and co-founder of the Campaign
for One Million Signatures [a feminist movement], was arrested.
Dr. Noushin Ebadi, a dentist and professor at the medical school of Tehran's Azad University, and sister of Shirin Ebadi, was arrested. She had been under pressure for months to pursuade her sister to stop her activities.
Protests at Science and Technology University
Reports are coming in of protests today at Science and Technology University in Tehran and a brutal crackdown by Basij.
First Revoultion of 21st Century
Excellent analysis of situation in Iran:
In 1979 Iranians introduced a new form of social revolution. In place of the guerrilla-style armed struggle that had characterized the twentieth-century revolutions in non-western countries, the Iranians modeled a spontaneous nonviolent mass movement. And much to the experts' surprise, in less than 2 years this movement overthrew a dictatorial monarchy that had the backing of both Western powers and the strongest army in the Middle East. The principles of freedom and independence that sustained this revolution were soon violated by Khomeini, who instituted an even more repressive and brutal regime than that which had been dismantled. But the methods of the early victory set a new precedent, shaping the imagination of what was possible in the Eastern European revolutions of the 1980s.
Now, after thirty years, this revolution has boomeranged back to the streets and rooftops of Iran. A new generation is determined to finish the job that their parents began but could not bring to fruition: the establishment of freedom and democracy in an independent Iran.
The violent confrontations at yesterday's Ashura demonstrations, which resulted from widespread resistance to the brutality of the regime's various security forces, have shifted the balance of the struggle towards the people. The question is no longer whether this corrupt regime will be overthrown, but rather when it will go, and how. It is clear that this struggle, which began as a simple protest against the rigged presidential election, can no longer be defined as a movement for either state reform or civil rights. Yesterday's demonstrations, occurring throughout the country and from Tehran to the smallest towns, cannot be defined by any term other than revolution.
Dictatorships always maintain a fragile balance between fear and anger, which they either inflict on or produce for the people they rule. As long as the fear of the regime's power outweighs anger at its effects, its position is relatively secure. But if this balance tips with changes in conditions either at home or abroad, and if feelings of anger begin to supersede those of fear, then given opportunity and circumstances it is safe to assume that a regime's days are numbered. Yesterday, in defiant resistance against thousands of security forces and carrying with them in demonstrations the experiences of more than a century of struggle for democracy, Iranians demonstrated to themselves and to the world that this is truer than ever of the Iranian regime. The balance has tipped from fear to anger, and there is a new determination to make Iran free and independent.
The consequences of this revolution cannot be underestimated. Many argue that it was 1979 Iranian revolution which transformed Islamic fundamentalism into a global phenomenon. If this is correct, then it is possible that the present revolution might to do the 'unthinkable' and overthrow a corrupt, fundamentalist regime. Such a non-violent revolution could secularise the state, separating it from religion, and revolutionise religion itself by redefining Islam as a discourse of freedom and a method not for obtaining and managing power, but for expanding freedom. The principles of such an Islam are already being produced, not least of all in the latest works of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, who during the course of his life became an advocate of human rights. His unprecedented burial gathering, despite being disrupted by the regime's great attempts to minimise it, suggest that the Iranian public recognises and perhaps even favours this discourse. An authentic Islamic renaissance is already sweeping through many Iranian cities, and its effect on other Islamic countries will be felt in the coming years and months.
Shirin Ebadi's Sister Arrested
The story from CNN:
Iranian intelligence officials have detained the sister of Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist said.
Iranian intelligence officials have detained the sister of Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist said.
Ebadi said Monday that three men and a woman arrived at the Tehran home she shared with her sister, searched the house and seized Nushin Ebadi, 47, and her computer.
"They have detained her so I stop my work," Shirin Ebadi, 62, told CNN's Reza Sayah in a phone call from London. "She has done nothing wrong. She's not involved in human rights work, and she's never participated in any of the protests."
Nushin Ebadi's arrest came in the middle of a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests that has left at least eight dead, according to the Supreme National Security Council, although the Iranian government denies its forces have killed anyone.
Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her human rights work, left Iran for a conference in Spain the day before June presidential elections that sparked an earlier round of violent protests. Friends, she said, warned her not to return to Tehran.
The Nobel laureate said she spoke with her sister Monday, a few hours before the 9 p.m. visit by ministry officials while Nushin Ebadi was at home with her husband and two sons.
Iranian Information Ministry officials contacted Nushin Ebadi several times previously, her sister said, telling her to leave their apartment and warning her not to contact her sister. Both women thought those demands were absurd.
"Not only does my sister not do any human rights work, she doesn't do any cultural work either," Shirin Ebadi said. "They only took her because of me."
Information Ministry officials contacted Nushin Ebadi on Wednesday and told her to tell her sister to stop her work and stop saying the things she says, according to her sister. Nushin responded, Shirin said, that her sister was 15 years older and would not listen.
Shirin Ebadi's law firm represents seven members of Iran's Baha'i Community who have been charged with espionage. She said she is certain Iranian officials are trying to intimidate her by harassing her sister, but, she said, she will not back down.
"They want to intimidate me," she said. "The only thing they want is for me to change my work."
"I am worried. I'm worried because she [Nushin Ebadi] was detained because of the work I do," she said, adding it was that work that made Nushin a target.
"She's not interested in this kind of work. She's not involved in this kind of work."
Shirin Ebadi said she advised her sister to contact an attorney when Information Ministry officials first began approaching her and that she did so.
Nushin Ebadi and her husband are professors of dentistry at Azad University in Tehran, Shirin Ebadi said, and Nushin Ebadi's husband also has a private dental practice.
Most Graphic Ashura Video
WARNING EXTREMELY GRAPHIC VIDEO
I don't want to post this video, but the world has to see what this regime is doing to the people of Iran.
I don't want to post this video, but the world has to see what this regime is doing to the people of Iran.
Karroubi Letter of Condolence to Mousavi
This is what it says:
“We are all from God and we will all return to him” (a versus of the holy Quran)
Dear Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi
I was deeply saddened and distressed over the news of martyrdom of your dear nephew, Mr. Seyyed Ali Habibi Mousavi, who was the brother of another martyr himself. The martyrdom of that cherished martyr and some other of our countrymen on the path of combat with lies and in pursue of justice which is truly the ideas of Imam Hossein’s movement, in such a day, showed that the enemies of justice and freedom have reached to a point and have become so drunk with power that don’t even show respect to Aashura and the mourners of Imam Hossein. I wonder that the situation is in a way that thirty years after the Islamic revolution they (the coup government’s basij and plain clothes thugs) massacre so many people this savagely on the day of Aasura and shoot Shias of Imam Hossein on the streets of the capitol they (the coup government’s propaganda media) call the mother of Islamic lands. I express my condolences for such a tragedy to you, the mourning families, the Iranian nation and the hidden Imam.
May God's peace , Mercy ,and Blessings fall upon you.
Mehdi Karoubi
December-27-2009
“We are all from God and we will all return to him” (a versus of the holy Quran)
Dear Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi
I was deeply saddened and distressed over the news of martyrdom of your dear nephew, Mr. Seyyed Ali Habibi Mousavi, who was the brother of another martyr himself. The martyrdom of that cherished martyr and some other of our countrymen on the path of combat with lies and in pursue of justice which is truly the ideas of Imam Hossein’s movement, in such a day, showed that the enemies of justice and freedom have reached to a point and have become so drunk with power that don’t even show respect to Aashura and the mourners of Imam Hossein. I wonder that the situation is in a way that thirty years after the Islamic revolution they (the coup government’s basij and plain clothes thugs) massacre so many people this savagely on the day of Aasura and shoot Shias of Imam Hossein on the streets of the capitol they (the coup government’s propaganda media) call the mother of Islamic lands. I express my condolences for such a tragedy to you, the mourning families, the Iranian nation and the hidden Imam.
May God's peace , Mercy ,and Blessings fall upon you.
Mehdi Karoubi
December-27-2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
World Blasts Regime Behavior
We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights. Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States.
National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer
UNITED KINGDOM
The tragic deaths of protesters in Iran are yet another reminder of how the Iranian regime deals with protest. Ashura is a time of religious commemoration and reflection and it is therefore particularly disturbing to hear accounts of the lack of restraint by the security forces. Ordinary Iranian citizens are determined to exercise their right to have their voices heard. They are showing great courage. I call on the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of its own citizens - rights which Iran has promised to respect.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband
GERMANY
I condemn the recent violent clashes in Iran in which people died due to the unacceptable actions of the security forces. I call on Iran to live up to its obligations under the [United Nations'] International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - in particular, the right to free expression through peaceful demonstrations must not be restricted or suppressed by violence. The leaders are called on to avert further escalation and seek political dialogue for a peaceful resolution of these internal political disputes.
Chancellor Angela Merkel
CANADA
The government of Canada condemns the use of brutal violence by the Iranian security forces and once again calls upon Iran to meet its human rights obligations.
Iranian security forces once again used intimidation and violence against citizens of Iran. The Iranian regime's continued effort to restrict freedom of expression and assembly, thereby depriving its citizens of their rights, is deplorable.
The people of Iran deserve to have their voices heard and to enjoy the rights to which they are entitled without fear of violence and intimidation.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon
Sohrab's Mother Arrested
As earlier noted, reports indicate that the mother of the martyr Sohrab Arabi was among those arrested in the wake of "Bloody Ashura".
Body of Mousavi's Martyred Nephew Missing
According to this report and Mousavi's Facebook, the body of Mousavi's martyred nephew is missing:
The body of Seyyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi, nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi who was shot and martyred by coup government’s agents in the events of “Bloody Aashura” yesterday, is missing!!! Seyyed Reza Habibi-Mousavi, brother of martyred Seyyed Ali, in an interview with ParlemanNews said that sadly the body of his brother was taken from the hospital and they cannot find it!!! He added that no one accepts the responsibility on where the body is and no one responds to them! He added that they cannot hold any funeral as long as the body is missing and as soon as the body is found they will announce the details of the funeral ceremony to the public.
Update:
IRNA (coup government’s propaganda machine), revealed some interesting information regarding the whereabouts of the body of Seyyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi. Body of Seyyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi, who was Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew and was shot and martyred in the “Bloody Aashura” by security forces, has been missing from the hospital since last night and his family have no information about this issue. IRNA claimed that the body is being kept with the other bodies of those who were killed yesterday for further investigations and autopsy to give clues to police to solve the case!!! In this report IRNA by acknowledging that the death of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew was “suspicious” gives a different location on where he was shot than what Keyhan and JahanNews (the other two propaganda machines of the coup government) had announced earlier. Also IRNA goes on with coup government’s scenario to cover up this crime (as they did in case of Neda Agha-Soltan) and concludes that based on the family ties of the victim to Mir Hossein Mousavi and the made of the gun and bullet and other evidences, this crime was committed by terrorist groups!!!!
The body of Seyyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi, nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi who was shot and martyred by coup government’s agents in the events of “Bloody Aashura” yesterday, is missing!!! Seyyed Reza Habibi-Mousavi, brother of martyred Seyyed Ali, in an interview with ParlemanNews said that sadly the body of his brother was taken from the hospital and they cannot find it!!! He added that no one accepts the responsibility on where the body is and no one responds to them! He added that they cannot hold any funeral as long as the body is missing and as soon as the body is found they will announce the details of the funeral ceremony to the public.
Update:
IRNA (coup government’s propaganda machine), revealed some interesting information regarding the whereabouts of the body of Seyyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi. Body of Seyyed Ali Habibi-Mousavi, who was Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew and was shot and martyred in the “Bloody Aashura” by security forces, has been missing from the hospital since last night and his family have no information about this issue. IRNA claimed that the body is being kept with the other bodies of those who were killed yesterday for further investigations and autopsy to give clues to police to solve the case!!! In this report IRNA by acknowledging that the death of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew was “suspicious” gives a different location on where he was shot than what Keyhan and JahanNews (the other two propaganda machines of the coup government) had announced earlier. Also IRNA goes on with coup government’s scenario to cover up this crime (as they did in case of Neda Agha-Soltan) and concludes that based on the family ties of the victim to Mir Hossein Mousavi and the made of the gun and bullet and other evidences, this crime was committed by terrorist groups!!!!
New Wave of Arrests
Here is a list of people arrested in the wake of "Bloody Ashura":
Ebrahim Yazdi (former Foreign Minister)
Emad-e’Din Baghi (Human Rights Activist)
Morteza Hadji (Minister of educaion during Khatami era)
Leila Tavassoli, daughter of Mohammad Tavassoli
Seyed Hosein Mousavi Tabrizi (Head of the clerical Association of Teachers and Researchers of Qom)
Alireza Beheshti Shirazi (Editor in Chief of Mousavi's online journal Kalameh Sabz)
Ghorban Behzadian Nejad (Mousavi consultant)
Mohamad Bagherian (Mousavi consultant)
Rasouli (deputy of President Khatami's Baran Foundation)
Forouzandeh (Manager of Mousavi's office)
Mohammad Sadegh Rabbani (Retired university prof who used to be the general prosecutor 20 years ago), arrested yesterday
Son of Mostafa Moin, the minister of Science and higher education was also arrested yesterday.
Heshmatollah Tabarzadi (Student Activist)
Haleh Sahabi (Women right activist)
Parvin Fahimi (mother of Sohrab E'rabi) and her son (Sohrab's brother) are missing.
Mohammad Taheri, son of Ayatollah Taheri--Isfahan's Friday Imam (and a son in law of Khomeini!)
Abulfazl Ghadyani (member of the central council of the Organization Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution--a reformist party)
Mehdi Arabshahi (Student activist)
Ebrahim Yazdi (former Foreign Minister)
Emad-e’Din Baghi (Human Rights Activist)
Morteza Hadji (Minister of educaion during Khatami era)
Leila Tavassoli, daughter of Mohammad Tavassoli
Seyed Hosein Mousavi Tabrizi (Head of the clerical Association of Teachers and Researchers of Qom)
Alireza Beheshti Shirazi (Editor in Chief of Mousavi's online journal Kalameh Sabz)
Ghorban Behzadian Nejad (Mousavi consultant)
Mohamad Bagherian (Mousavi consultant)
Rasouli (deputy of President Khatami's Baran Foundation)
Forouzandeh (Manager of Mousavi's office)
Mohammad Sadegh Rabbani (Retired university prof who used to be the general prosecutor 20 years ago), arrested yesterday
Son of Mostafa Moin, the minister of Science and higher education was also arrested yesterday.
Heshmatollah Tabarzadi (Student Activist)
Haleh Sahabi (Women right activist)
Parvin Fahimi (mother of Sohrab E'rabi) and her son (Sohrab's brother) are missing.
Mohammad Taheri, son of Ayatollah Taheri--Isfahan's Friday Imam (and a son in law of Khomeini!)
Abulfazl Ghadyani (member of the central council of the Organization Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution--a reformist party)
Mehdi Arabshahi (Student activist)
Najaf-Abad and Isfahan Protests
These clips show protests in Najaf-Abad (Hometown of the late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri) and Isfahan. They prove that protests were not just in Tehran:
Why Ashura Was Important
To put it simply, this is starting to look more and more like a traditional revolution.
The protests immediately following the June election largely followed the model of a civil rights movement with mass rallies and marches. Over the next several months these periodic mass demonstrations were met with force by the regime, but protesters were reluctant to engage with Basiji militiamen.
All that has changed on Ashura. People were mad as hell and they weren't going to take it anymore. The regime kept pushing and pushing and finally the people snapped. It seems that on Ashura the regime hoped to step up the violence in order to discourage people from taking to the streets anymore.
Instead people were now willing to confront the Basij and took up any tactics available to defend themselves. This includes setting fires to counter the effects of tear gas, throwing rocks, joining in groups to engage with the Basij, and creating roadblocks to make vehicle transportation for the Basij difficult.
In a word, people started to act together to fight the Basij and it worked. For the first time, the security apparatus of the regime showed its weakness and the regime no longer seemed invisible. The people worked in a concerted effort in order stop the regime's ability to control the country through force. Large parts of Tehran were under the control of the protesters and it looked as if the regime was unable to control its own citizens.
Moreover almost all the anger of the protesters seemed to have shifted towards the Supreme Leader Khamenei. Open criticism of the Supreme Leader was previously unthinkable, but it was the most common rallying slogan today. In perhaps one of the most memorable videos of the day, protesters tore down a street sign with Khamenei's name on it and began to stomp it.
It is impossible to tell if Ashura was a fluke or if it is the beginning of a new phase of the struggle against the regime. Over the next few days, people will commemorate the traditional Shii mourning ceremonies for the martyrs killed on Ashura. A few weeks down the line, the anniversary of the 1979 revolution comes around with its symbolic and practical importance. For the first time, martial law seems like a real possibility as the regime may get more desperate.
One thing is for certain: Ashura was the most important day for the opposition movement since immediately following the June election.
The protests immediately following the June election largely followed the model of a civil rights movement with mass rallies and marches. Over the next several months these periodic mass demonstrations were met with force by the regime, but protesters were reluctant to engage with Basiji militiamen.
All that has changed on Ashura. People were mad as hell and they weren't going to take it anymore. The regime kept pushing and pushing and finally the people snapped. It seems that on Ashura the regime hoped to step up the violence in order to discourage people from taking to the streets anymore.
Instead people were now willing to confront the Basij and took up any tactics available to defend themselves. This includes setting fires to counter the effects of tear gas, throwing rocks, joining in groups to engage with the Basij, and creating roadblocks to make vehicle transportation for the Basij difficult.
In a word, people started to act together to fight the Basij and it worked. For the first time, the security apparatus of the regime showed its weakness and the regime no longer seemed invisible. The people worked in a concerted effort in order stop the regime's ability to control the country through force. Large parts of Tehran were under the control of the protesters and it looked as if the regime was unable to control its own citizens.
Moreover almost all the anger of the protesters seemed to have shifted towards the Supreme Leader Khamenei. Open criticism of the Supreme Leader was previously unthinkable, but it was the most common rallying slogan today. In perhaps one of the most memorable videos of the day, protesters tore down a street sign with Khamenei's name on it and began to stomp it.
It is impossible to tell if Ashura was a fluke or if it is the beginning of a new phase of the struggle against the regime. Over the next few days, people will commemorate the traditional Shii mourning ceremonies for the martyrs killed on Ashura. A few weeks down the line, the anniversary of the 1979 revolution comes around with its symbolic and practical importance. For the first time, martial law seems like a real possibility as the regime may get more desperate.
One thing is for certain: Ashura was the most important day for the opposition movement since immediately following the June election.
Karroubi Blasts Regime Behavior on Ashura
Here is his letter:
“We are all from God and we will return to him” (a versus of the holy Quran)
Great and noble nation of Iran:
Following the election of June 12, 2009 which revealed the outmost disobedient of a group from the bases of the constitution, the republics and the teaching of Imam Khomeini who was always saying “The scale is people’s vote”, we are witnessing some very bitter and unforgettable events such as the martyrdom of some of our countrymen during peaceful demonstrations, illegal arrests of political activists, staging show trials, limitless and unimaginable brutality against detainees at Kahrizak prison and others like that and etc.
Stubbornness, indecency, and disobedience to law and people’s rights have made the people and the country to pay an irrecoverable price over the past seven months. Unfortunately, there have been new dimensions added to the illegal confrontations [of the government forces against the people] in the first ten days of Moharram (which are considered sacred for Shia’s because of the martyrdom of the third Imam of Shia) which pain the heart of every noble person.
On the eve of Ashura, some thugs were paid to go to the prayer hall of Jamaran (the late Imam Khomeini’s house) which was the center of unmatched and revealing views of Imam Khomeini and with the coordination of some specific [power] centers savagely attack [people] and destroy the prayer hall with the excuse of the speech by someone whose views have always been within the establishment and never crossed the redlines.
In this attack, they beat and insulted people from men and women savagely and destroyed their belongings and in the neighborhood of Imam Khomeini’s house terrorized people by breaking doors and windows. On the eve of Imam Hossein’s Ashura, they beat the Shia’s of Imam Hossein mourning for Imam Hossein and do whatever they want in complete safety (referring to the cooperation of the security and police forces with the plain clothes thugs beating people).
Today on Imam Hossein’s Ashura, since morning they assaulted people with indescribable brutality and injured and arrested several people and according to the reports some of our countrymen have been martyred.Those who are the character and identity of this revolution and during the combat [with Shah] were at the front line of the combatants remember that on 1963 Ashura there was a great demonstration with strong slogans against Shah but Shah’s government kept the sacredness of Ashura and killing, confronting and arresting the leaders of the combat and especially Imam [Khomeini] was left for next days. Really what has happened that the government that rose from Ashura uprising has put hand on people’s blood on the day of Ashura and has unleashed a bunch of savages to people’s lives.
Dear God what has happened that the sacredness of Ashura and the mourners of the son of Zahra (the mother of Imam Hossein and the wife of Imam Ali – the first Imam of Shia – who was also the daughter of Prophet Mohammad) at the noon of Ashura (when Imam Hossein was martyred) and massacre them. Dear God what has happened that the sacredness of people’s blood is not honoured even in this holly month? Dear God what has happened that holding funeral for a combatant and heroic Marja (the highest ranking religious clerics in Shia) is not tolerated [by the government] and holly sites, house and prayer hall of the founder of this establishment get attacked and destroyed on the eve of Ashura.
I express my deepest condolences to the hidden Imam, the great nation of Iran and the mourning families for this immense disaster and unforgivable sin; and in the light of teachings of Imam Hossein at the noon of Ashura call out that if you don’t believe in God at least be noble (a quote from Imam Hossein on the day of Ashura calling on the army of the tyrant ruler who was oppressing people in the name of being the Islamic leader of the land).
“We are all from God and we will return to him” (a versus of the holy Quran)
Great and noble nation of Iran:
Following the election of June 12, 2009 which revealed the outmost disobedient of a group from the bases of the constitution, the republics and the teaching of Imam Khomeini who was always saying “The scale is people’s vote”, we are witnessing some very bitter and unforgettable events such as the martyrdom of some of our countrymen during peaceful demonstrations, illegal arrests of political activists, staging show trials, limitless and unimaginable brutality against detainees at Kahrizak prison and others like that and etc.
Stubbornness, indecency, and disobedience to law and people’s rights have made the people and the country to pay an irrecoverable price over the past seven months. Unfortunately, there have been new dimensions added to the illegal confrontations [of the government forces against the people] in the first ten days of Moharram (which are considered sacred for Shia’s because of the martyrdom of the third Imam of Shia) which pain the heart of every noble person.
On the eve of Ashura, some thugs were paid to go to the prayer hall of Jamaran (the late Imam Khomeini’s house) which was the center of unmatched and revealing views of Imam Khomeini and with the coordination of some specific [power] centers savagely attack [people] and destroy the prayer hall with the excuse of the speech by someone whose views have always been within the establishment and never crossed the redlines.
In this attack, they beat and insulted people from men and women savagely and destroyed their belongings and in the neighborhood of Imam Khomeini’s house terrorized people by breaking doors and windows. On the eve of Imam Hossein’s Ashura, they beat the Shia’s of Imam Hossein mourning for Imam Hossein and do whatever they want in complete safety (referring to the cooperation of the security and police forces with the plain clothes thugs beating people).
Today on Imam Hossein’s Ashura, since morning they assaulted people with indescribable brutality and injured and arrested several people and according to the reports some of our countrymen have been martyred.Those who are the character and identity of this revolution and during the combat [with Shah] were at the front line of the combatants remember that on 1963 Ashura there was a great demonstration with strong slogans against Shah but Shah’s government kept the sacredness of Ashura and killing, confronting and arresting the leaders of the combat and especially Imam [Khomeini] was left for next days. Really what has happened that the government that rose from Ashura uprising has put hand on people’s blood on the day of Ashura and has unleashed a bunch of savages to people’s lives.
Dear God what has happened that the sacredness of Ashura and the mourners of the son of Zahra (the mother of Imam Hossein and the wife of Imam Ali – the first Imam of Shia – who was also the daughter of Prophet Mohammad) at the noon of Ashura (when Imam Hossein was martyred) and massacre them. Dear God what has happened that the sacredness of people’s blood is not honoured even in this holly month? Dear God what has happened that holding funeral for a combatant and heroic Marja (the highest ranking religious clerics in Shia) is not tolerated [by the government] and holly sites, house and prayer hall of the founder of this establishment get attacked and destroyed on the eve of Ashura.
I express my deepest condolences to the hidden Imam, the great nation of Iran and the mourning families for this immense disaster and unforgivable sin; and in the light of teachings of Imam Hossein at the noon of Ashura call out that if you don’t believe in God at least be noble (a quote from Imam Hossein on the day of Ashura calling on the army of the tyrant ruler who was oppressing people in the name of being the Islamic leader of the land).
What's Next?
Ashura has been the most important day for the Iranian people in 6 months, but what is next. Here are some reports that indicate what might come next:
- The most immediate issue is the burial and mourning ceremonies for all the martyrs. In particular the nephew of Mousavi might provide a flash point for more protests. Mousavi's Facebook is saying people are already outside the hospital where his nephew's body is being held and there have been clashes.
- Reports indicate that strikes are attempting to be organized in particular on college campuses although it is impossible to tell how widespread these might be.
- A little further down line, the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution is quickly approaching with many public holidays in the next few months to commemorate it creating more opportunities for protest.
We will just have to wait and see how far this develops.
- The most immediate issue is the burial and mourning ceremonies for all the martyrs. In particular the nephew of Mousavi might provide a flash point for more protests. Mousavi's Facebook is saying people are already outside the hospital where his nephew's body is being held and there have been clashes.
- Reports indicate that strikes are attempting to be organized in particular on college campuses although it is impossible to tell how widespread these might be.
- A little further down line, the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution is quickly approaching with many public holidays in the next few months to commemorate it creating more opportunities for protest.
We will just have to wait and see how far this develops.
Final Ashura Clips
There are probably more, but these last two are just as much violence as I can take for now:
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Terrible Beauty is Born
I'm taking a break after a very eventful day. The last four lines of William Butler Yeats' poem Easter 1916 capture perfectly what I am feeling:
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
Tehran Becomes Battleground
One common theme among almost all the videos is that Tehran has become a battleground. Reports indicate other major cities in Iran are showing similar scenes, but videos have not yet been put up in mass quantities.
Gone are large mass protests that were largely peaceful until they were broken up by Basij militia. The regime responded on Ashura the same way it has responded over the last six months by using violence against peaceful protesters.
However this time the people of Iran were not going to take it anymore and a bubbling over of built up resentment happened. Protesters effectively organized and defended themselves against the violence of the regime.
Sadly several protesters were killed and they have become martyrs. Yet the videos clearly show that the people of Iran control the streets and they are no longer scared of their government. As pictures and videos of Basijis fleeing shows, it is the government that is now scared of the people.
Another Martyr
Sadly another video of a martyr today:
But here is a video of people stomping on the image of Khamenei:
But here is a video of people stomping on the image of Khamenei:
Summary: Most Important Videos of the Day (So Far)
People stomp on street sign with the name of Supreme Leader Khamenei:
A clip of a Martyr:
People take over Police Station and a martyr:
Update unfortunately the death of Mousavi's Nephew:
A clip of a Martyr:
People take over Police Station and a martyr:
Update unfortunately the death of Mousavi's Nephew:
Symbol for the Day
In a day of triumph and tragedy, the image of this girl captures it all.
Update other candidates:
BREAKING: Mousavi's Nephew Killed
Very sad news to report that the nephew of opposition figure Mir Hussein Mousavi has been killed in the protests and has become a martyr according to ParlemanNews, Mousavi's Twitter and Mousavi's Facebook:
URGENT: Nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi was martyred in today’s unrest events. According to ParlemanNews, Seyyed Ali Mousavi, 35 year old nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, was shot dead in today’s events. He was shot in the heart at noon in central Tehran during today events. At the moment his body is in one of Tehran’s hospitals and Mir Hossein Mousavi along with families of this green martyr and some political figures is in the hospital at the moment.
Also a close aide to Mousavi has confirmed the story. Our hearts go out to Mousavi's family and all the martyrs who died for Iran on Ashura.
URGENT: Nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi was martyred in today’s unrest events. According to ParlemanNews, Seyyed Ali Mousavi, 35 year old nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, was shot dead in today’s events. He was shot in the heart at noon in central Tehran during today events. At the moment his body is in one of Tehran’s hospitals and Mir Hossein Mousavi along with families of this green martyr and some political figures is in the hospital at the moment.
Also a close aide to Mousavi has confirmed the story. Our hearts go out to Mousavi's family and all the martyrs who died for Iran on Ashura.
Very Dramatic Video
This seems like the most dramatic clip of the day so far. It starts off with protesters showing that they are in control of the streets apparently taking over a police station and holding up pieces of Basij equipment. The video also shows injured protesters and the last minute has graphic video of a very badly injured protester while other try to help him. It is clear things have gotten a lot more serious today.
More dramatic video:
More dramatic video:
This Is Serious
I have been following developments out of Iran for some time now and trust me this is serious what is going on right now. Reports are that protests are taking place all over the country in particular 4 protesters being killed in Tabriz during heavy clashes with authorities. Unconfirmed reports state that police are taking off their uniforms and joining protesters. More videos to show situation:
What We Know
Very symbolic footage of protesters taking down a street sign with Khamenei's name on in and then trampling it.
- Protests on the Shii holy day of Ashura have taken place in cities all over Iran.
- There are at least 4 protesters confirmed killed today.
- People are fighting back against Basij and other members of regime on a large scale for the first time.
- The regime appears to have no control over large portions of Tehran.
- For the first time the security apparatus of the regime is starting to crack and is showing its weakness.
- As the video above shows, protesters are becoming bolder and directly challenging the Supreme Leader Khamenei.
Today is most important day in Shii Islam commemorating martyrdom of Muhammad's Grandson Hussein in Karbala in 688. His struggles against the Sunni Caliph Yazid is seen as the ultimate struggle against tyranny. It has also been 7 days since the passing of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri which is an important day in the mourning cycle for the dead in Shii Islam.
Stayed tuned as this is a very significant break through by the people of Iran.
Regime Quickly Losing Control
The situation appears to be very serious on the ground in Iran with the widespread protests in cities across the country. As these clips show, it appears that the regime is quickly losing control of the situation.
Martyrs Reported
Reports are coming in that at least 3 protesters have been killed and have become martyrs.
The regime is going to regret killing people on a day that is supposed to commemorate the murder of Hussein in his struggle against tyranny.
The regime is going to regret killing people on a day that is supposed to commemorate the murder of Hussein in his struggle against tyranny.
Popular Chants
People are chanting the following for Ashura:
“Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein”
“This is the month of mourning, the Green nation of Iran is mourning”
“This is the month of blood, Yazid (Khamenei) will fall”
“God is great”
“Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein”
“This is the month of mourning, the Green nation of Iran is mourning”
“This is the month of blood, Yazid (Khamenei) will fall”
“God is great”
Clashes Occuring
From Mousavi's Facebook:
Despite all security measure and crack down a large crowd of protesters are going toward Imam Hossein SQ./ According to reports of heavy clashes in central Tehran, people set a Police bike on fire. Police has blocked Vali-Asr St. in order to pervert people from joining the crowd in Imam Hossein SQ. / According to reports security forces fired tear gas at mourners in Enghelab SQ to disperse them but people were able to break the blockage by police and are on their way toward Imam Hossein SQ./ Security forces are preventing people from walking in groups on sidewalks in Enghelab SQ. But despite all these a large crowd of protestors have gathered in Enghelab SQ and Imam Hossein SQ. / According to reports more protestors are on their way traveling by express line buses toward Imam Hossein SQ chanting “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein” and “God is great”. There are more reports of clashes at Imam Hossein SQ as well.
Despite all security measure and crack down a large crowd of protesters are going toward Imam Hossein SQ./ According to reports of heavy clashes in central Tehran, people set a Police bike on fire. Police has blocked Vali-Asr St. in order to pervert people from joining the crowd in Imam Hossein SQ. / According to reports security forces fired tear gas at mourners in Enghelab SQ to disperse them but people were able to break the blockage by police and are on their way toward Imam Hossein SQ./ Security forces are preventing people from walking in groups on sidewalks in Enghelab SQ. But despite all these a large crowd of protestors have gathered in Enghelab SQ and Imam Hossein SQ. / According to reports more protestors are on their way traveling by express line buses toward Imam Hossein SQ chanting “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein” and “God is great”. There are more reports of clashes at Imam Hossein SQ as well.
Ashura Begins
Unconfirmed reports say that heavy clashes are taking place in Tehran as protests begin for Ashura. Rumors have been spreading that shoots have been fired possibly as a warning.
It seems that the government is not going to allow people to peacefully protest and it is going to be a bloody Ashura.
It seems that the government is not going to allow people to peacefully protest and it is going to be a bloody Ashura.
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