Today the fake government of Iran held their own rally, and they could only find up to 20,000 people to show up. They bought them food, made them signs, told them what to chant, and took them home. Oh yes, they had to bus them in from outside of Tehran, so they were not Tehranis. Pretty slick, eh? Notice one thing, they did not have police shooting at them, they did not have the basij and the irgc fighting them. No riot gear. Yet the Green Movement, which is many times more popular, had about over one million people in July after the fake election and many hundreds of thousand people facing these thugs with no weapons, no protection, no nothing. All they had is disgust and courage. They want a peaceful, secular Iran. They don't want to fight, and they were not fighting. It was the basij and irgc who started the fighting. They pushed them past the point of peaceful protest. They restrained their anger for so long. Sunday was the 7th day after the death (they mourn the dead of Mohammad's grandson and family after 7 days on the day of Ashura, very holy day) of one their reformist Clerics who had criticized this regime ever since the 80's. He was one of the original people of the revolution in 1979. He soon became disenchanted with the way the government was taking shape. Many people in Iran are saddened at his loss, so their is a little division because the protest started on that day. Otherwise, they generally agree with the Green Movement. It is true that not all the people agree or want Iran to change. You will find this in any party, any country, any state, etc. So please don't misquote me as saying everyone! *heh* Even though I have been praying for the Christians in Iran and trying to talk to Congress about human rights issues, I still do not know as much about the Persian history as I would like to know. That is why I have three people I would like to introduce you to that are Iranian bloggers. First I would like to introduce to a friend of mine who we share a blog with, his name is 'Korosh' and his blog is DEMOCRACY FOR IRAN دموكراسي براي ايران. He is a very peace-loving man, and he keeps up with the news pretty well. I met Winston next. He has a site over at The Spirit of Man. He is a rather funny guy. (He has a great sense of humor.) He also desires a regime change. He has been following this history as it happens, so you should really check out his site. I just found this site a couple days ago, but it is very good also. The name of it is The Daily Nite Owl and his latest post is ‘Millions’ Out in Support of Government in Iran? Think Again. This one covers the state run, state owned, state bought people to rally as if they are pro-government. Ha. If they loved the govt so much, why did they have to go out of town to gather people...starting yesterday! I don't want to report anything I cannot confirm, and unfortunately I can't even be sure of this. All of them have relatives and friends in Iran, so I have a tendency to rely on their versions. They coincide with what I've been reading in the papers and seeing on Twitter's #iranelection. Also unfortunately, that's all I have for now. I hope to learn more for tomorrow. Until then, everyone stay safe and pray for our brothers and sisters who are fighting for their own Life and Liberty. Thanks. Update: I have just read a marvelous article at Muslims Against Sharia by SP. The name of the article is Amil Imani: Is Regime Change Coming To Iran? Well written and more in depth than I could write. Great job. May you walk with the LORD always, and when you cannot take another step, may He carry you the rest of the way until you can walk along side Him again.
Before we become engrossed in the facts of today, I would like to ask you to join me in prayer not only for their success, but also for their safety from the basijis and IRGC. May they all turn their arms against the government and join the revolution.  Today the fight continues. Most countries have stepped forward and condemned the violent repression by the Iranian government. There are many photos, videos, and articles about this atrocity. I shall provide a list of articles written by others at the end of this post. I will also be updating, so remember to come back. The Iranian TV and newspapers (that is, the ones that are still open) are reporting that 8 people were killed yesterday (I heard it was 10 civilians and 5 basijis) and 300 plus were arrested. Ali Habibi Mousavi, nephew of Mousavi who lost the election this year (we'll never know), was also killed by these creeps. He was shot after being run over and then shot in chest. It was no accident. There are reports that his (Mousavi's) nephew's body is missing. Let me just add one note of importance here. I do not like Mousavi. He is the same as Ahmadinejad. If he was not, he would not have been allowed to run for office. Just so we are clear on this issue. I support the Iranian Green Movement, not the elitist government officials. One of the interesting items I read about was Coup in Iran?. If this is true, we may be a witness to the history of the collapse of the Iranian tyrannical regime! I just pray that they do not turn out to be oppressors. I read something about the December 22nd. Many people and relatives freed two men who were to be hanged, and they were shot dead. The creeps caught the two men which made the crowd even angrier. Eventually, the two men were hanged. AtlasShrugs has this to offer: IRAN REVOLUTION: MASSIVE PROTESTS, DEATHS REPORTED, CHAOS.
Pandemonium as clashes continue in Tehran for 2nd day as protesters defy Islamic Government (more) Eyewitness reports and opposition websites say Security forces fired on the crowds in several places, wounding many, killing at least four that we know of. [Read more.] Many pictures are included. Winston was also watching closely as the riots broke out. They didn't have to turn into riots, but the thuggish government just has to start firing at innocent people (my assessment). I think he may have taken his leave. He does need to sleep, and he liveblogged all day and night. From reading the tweets at #iranelection, it appears that there is much fighting going on between the freedom fighters and the anti-riot goons. It seems to be an uprising all over Iran, but we must wait and see. One thing I know for sure, they want to accomplish this victory by themselves. Do they want our support? Of course they do! They want everyone who is a freedom-loving person who loves peace's support. I shall return in a while, but I must go for a while. Have a nice day, and don't forget to pray for the safety of the freedom fighters and the demise of all tyrants. Update: Here is a cartoon found through twitter's #iranelection. He hopes one day the Iranian people will actually see this! Update II: This is an article I read last night (or was that this morning?), and it is very good. It covers news, photos, and videos. Please be careful though, some of these videos are graphic. Are you brave enough to watch what is really happening in actual life in this world, or are you too cozy? Hmm. Update III: Here is some more live blogging from EnduringAmerica. Daftar-Tahkim-Vahdat, the main reformist Student Alumni Organisation, also issued a statement: What a regret that a government that considers itself to be risen from religious teachings and a national revolution, on the noon of Ashura opens fire on innocents and does what even the most notorious rulers of this country throughout the history [e.g. the Shah deposed in 1979] had not dared to do. 2055 GMT: Taking Sides? We’ve posted the video of President Obama’s statement (see 2020 GMT) and it’s even harder-hitting than we thought:”History will be on the side of those who seek justice. [Read more.] If you want to see what has happened so far today, this is a good source. This next articles asks if this is the beginning an Iranian-style anti-fada. The opposition has proven it has the resolve and resilience to sustain its risky challenge, despite the regime’s ruthless use of force, mass arrests, show trials and reports of torture and rape in prison. In the escalating political showdown the opposition has the momentum.
Just as important, the emergence of people power is also setting a new precedent in the last bloc of countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. Thirty years ago, Iran’s revolution redefined politics throughout the Middle East by ending dynastic rule and introducing Islam as a modern political idiom. Iran’s uprising is doing it again — this time by taking to the streets to demand an end to dictatorship as well as calling for fundamental rights such as free speech, a free press and respect for the individual vote. [Read more.] The London Times Online seems to think the opposition people have many different reasons that don't necessarily mix. I disagree to a certain point, but that is their right. I won't chop their head off over it. /sarc Source(s): TimeOnline: Seven opposition leaders arrested as Mousavi nephew's body 'missing'. EnduringAmerica: Iran: A Point of No Return? Free Republic: Coup in Iran?. AtlasShrugs: IRAN REVOLUTION: MASSIVE PROTESTS, DEATHS REPORTED, CHAOS. The Spirit of Man: Khamenei is a donkey. Political Cartoons: Iranian Revolution Color. IranNewsNow: Live-blog: Ashura in Iran – December 27, 2009. EnduringAmerica: The Latest from Iran (28 December): The Regime’s Arresting Strategy. TimesOnline: Is this Iran’s Berlin Wall moment? The Spirit of Man: Khamenei is a donkey.
 These events have been reported to world Threats. University students continue their resistance to the Iranian government.
Students of the School of Human Sciences of Allameh Tabatebei University and students from Payame Noor Nniversity and the School of Law demonstrated on Oct. 25th. The students of Azad University in Tehran are distributing anti-regime leaflets nightly. In a Friday Sermon on October 24th, Mullah Sedighi began laying the foundation for a cultural revolution against the universities. He also supported the inhuman bill of Ghesas (eye for an eye) and called it a blessing. He said, “we have hired our law, psychology, sociology and other branches of Human Sciences from west.
Sometimes some of our professors are influenced by west and their knowledge is also influenced by west. This framework doesn’t match our society. Our religion is the most important issue and this framework doesn’t comply with it. Some jurists cannot even bear the Islamic laws of punishment or Islamic rights for women and other issues in their classes and they talk about this opposition too.” The government has installed additional satellite TV jammers in Tehran, Abadan, Ahvaz and Bushehr. Sunni clerics have been banned from leading Friday prayers in Kermanshah, Kurdistan. Labor protests at the Pipe Manufacturing company in Avaz continues. Labor unrest due to non-payment of wages has extended to the Alborz Chinaware Company in Alborz Industrial City. The official newspaper Jomhori in its editorial under the title of Nuclear Turnover, Never wrote, “These days we are witnessing events during the nuclear negotiation with the 5+1 group in our diplomacy that we must give them a second thought.
With a little negligence years of efforts of country’s managers and scientists will be in vein. So during the negotiations we shouldn’t surrender the efforts and struggle of our scientists as a gift to westerners. Our board of negotiation must be aware that we will never want to stop our enrichment and halt our nuclear progress.” After the United Kingdom Treasury Department put sanctions on the Bank Melat and its shipping company, Iran’s ambassador protested the sanctions in letters to the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The ambassador said, “this inappropriate decision of the British Government will damage the interests of million of private shareholders and customers of the bank and shipping organization. It will also damage England’s legal system as well as the mutual relations between two countries. The government continues to threaten Mousavi. One hundred of 290 members of the Majlis have signed a letter of complaint against Mousavi. Then again, 190 didn’t sign the letter. At the International Exhibition of Media and News Agencies the Russian booth was closed. Nobody went to see it. And: These events have been reported to world Threats. Mullah Imani Kashani is no longer allowed to lead Friday Prayers in Tehran. That position is now filled by supporters of the current administration: Mullah Janati, Ahmed Khatami and Mullah Sedighi. Some residents of Tehran are putting flowers on the graves of martyrs nationwide. November fourth is Students Day. Might be an interesting day. Reports from Karaj Gohardasht Prison solitary confinement area rioted against the conditions of their incarceration. The riot lated until 9 PM when the prison authorities used tear gas and beatings to reestablish control. Young people are writing the name Neda on various traffic signs in the city of Yazd. Anti-government graffiti continues to appear around the nation of Iran. The graffiti says things like “Khamenei is a criminal. Death to Khamenei.”, “Death to dictator”, “Khamenei be ashamed and leave my country alone”, “Death to the leader. Death to Ahmadinejad”, “Neither Qaza (Gaza) nor Lebanon I sacrifice my life for Iran”. People are writing anti-regime slogans on the Iranian currency. The Kurdistan Province’s Department of Education has forced the principals of the schools to get signed pledges from parents that their students will not participate in demonstrations on Students day. Source: World Threats
 These events have been reported to World Threats. Student protests continue unabated in the face of severe repression by the regime.
During a gathering of engineering students at Tehran university, one of them threw a shoe at Safar Harandi, the former Minister of Guidance (gross insult).
At Karaj Universty approximately 200 students gathered to protest the Presidential election. The students chanted “death to the dictator”, “Independence, freedom, Iranian republic”. They also sang “Iran, the Precious Land” (pre-revolution national anthem). More than 1000 students of Tehran Azad University gathered to protest the regime. The government has intensified its pressure on Iranians who have family members in the People’s Mujahadeen of Iran and who are living in Ashraf, Iraq. Moshen Dogmechi, 52, was arrested on Sept. 7 during a raid on his business. His wife, Maryam Alangi, 48, has now also been arrested. These arrests occurred because Mr. Dogmechi is alleged to have a daughter in Ashraf City and for helping the families of political prisoners. Government subsidies for wheat, rice and cooking oil have been cut. Large numbers of clashes have occurred in Tehran over the increase in the price of bread. Anti-government graffiti continues to appear in Iranian cities. On Oct. 22, after teh soccer match between Persiopolis and Steelazin, the crowd chanted “Death to the dictator” and “don’t forget Nov. 4th”. The people are deliberately causing traffic jams in order to protest the government. On Oct. 21st, the regime hanged five people in Evin Prison including one woman. Labor unrest continues throughout the country as a result of non-payment of wages. The workers at Ahwaz Pipe Manufacturing company and the Mahyaman Factory in Isfehan protested in front of their local government headquarters. Yesterday afternoon, former presidential candidate Karrobi attended the media exhibition in Tehran’s Mosala. When he entered the hall the other attendees began chanting anti-government slogans. Karrobi was attacked by supporters of the government. The General Prosecutor of Iran, Mullah Eje’ee, has admitted that the theory of Supreme Leadership is broken. He said, “there is no doubt that the opposition currently guided, organized and directed from inside and outside the country is aimed at the supreme leadership. This current still continues and it is a mistake if we think that it is over.” The Deputy Interior Minster, Pasdar Afshar, has warned that the people might use different occasions to protest the regime. He warned, “the enemies of the regime might use the anniversary of the anti-monarchy revolution on February 11th and rise against the dictatorship of the Supreme Leadership.” Source: World Threats
 TEHRAN: An Iranian-American man has been sentenced to 15 years in an Iranian prison for his role in protests after the disputed presidential election in June, a U.S. State Department spokesman said Tuesday. The United States is "deeply concerned" that Kian Tajbakhsh has been sentenced to prison, spokesman Ian Kelly said. "Mr. Tajbakhsh poses no threat to the Iranian government or its national security," Kelly said. "Given the groundless nature of charges against him we call on Iran to grant his immediate release.
As an independent, internationally respected academic, Mr. Tajbakhsh has always sought to foster better understanding between Iran and the United States and Iran and the international community." Kelly said the prison sentence is for 15 years. Iran's state-run news agency, IRNA, reported that Tajbakhsh had been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison. Tajbakhsh's attorney said he plans to appeal the verdict from Iran's Revolutionary Court, IRNA reported. Tajbakhsh was arrested in July and was one of more than 1,000 people detained following a massive government crackdown. He was tried along with nearly 100 others, including journalists, reformist leaders and former government ministers. Exactly what Tajbakhsh was convicted of was unclear. He had been accused of numerous charges, including plotting a "soft revolution" against the Iranian regime through his work with George Soros' Open Society Institute, according to IRNA. Tajbakhsh resigned from his position with the institute after he was arrested and detained for four months in 2007 on unspecified charges. He holds dual citizenship in Iran and the United States. Tajbakhsh was the only American among the nearly 100 people on trial for their role in the post-election unrest. The State Department has expressed its deep concern over Tajbakhsh's detention and trial and has called on Iran to release him. The protests were primarily against a decision by Iran's election authority, which declared incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the overwhelming winner of the June 12 race. Opposition supporters accused the government of fraud. The mass trial included Tehran-based Newsweek journalist Maziar Bahari, who was released from prison on Saturday. Bahari, who is an Iranian and Canadian national, arrived in London, England, on Tuesday to witness the upcoming birth of his first child, the magazine reported. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the mass trial a "sign of weakness" that shows that the Islamic republic "is afraid of its own people." "It is a show trial, there's no doubt about it," Clinton told CNN's Fareed Zakaria on his "GPS" program. "It demonstrates I think better than any of us could ever say that this Iranian leadership is afraid of their own people, and afraid of the truth and the facts coming out." Source: CNN
 These events have been reported to World Threats. In an attempt to control student anti-government activities, the government is ejecting students from their dormitories.
In a plan named “Social Discipline”, Special Security Force officers will be stationed in schools just as the Herasat officers are stationed in the universities. The Judiciary has sent Karrobi’s file to the Special Court for Clerics. The government is spreading rumors that the complaints against Mousavi have been forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office. By order of the regime, some parts of the health care system cannot accept bills with slogans written on them. In Sanandaj the security forces are stopping people in the parks and recreation areas and inspecting their cell phones. They check the memory of the cell phone for any photos and messages. An Iranian reporter was arrested by Lebanese agents in Tehran. One of the arresting agents was Iranian but the two agents with him were Lebanese. Source: World Threats
 These events have been reported to World Threats. November fourth, the Day of Students that was also the day in 1979 when the American Embassy was stormed and the hostages taken, is slated to become a day of protest against the mullahs just like the Qods Day protests. The date and the slogan “the day to cry death to Khamenei” are appearing as graffiti on the walls of buildings all over the country. Student of Azad University of Broojerd have removed and destroyed the pictures of Ali Khamenei on the walls of their university buildings. New ones are destroyed as soon as the are put up. Mullah Noormofidi, Khamenei’s representative in Golestan Province called the revolution fire under ashes. He said, “I don’t agree with our status and with this fire of uprising. I believe that this fire must be extinguished and not turn to the fire under the ashes.” Senior mullahs are already preaching against anti-mullah demonstrations on November fourth.
Mullah Janati, the secretary of the Guidance Council (not sure if the source means Expediency Council, Assembly of Experts or the Guardian Council) warned in Tehran’s Friday Prayers, “November Fourth is the day of struggle against the universal despotism (the United States). Some have plans for this day but they must know that they will be defeated. If Judiciary and Intelligence Services act soft this would be treason…. You cannot act soft with those who have acted as our worst enemies. The problem is very deep and cannot be ignored…. The recent events were not about gaining power and the election.
The overthrow of the regime was the goal of some people.” Janati also mentioned the fear in other countries of the overthrow of the clerical regime. “Seyyed Hassan Nasrollah (the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah) said that during the recent events in Iran everybody called him and wanted to know what has happened in Iran. Everybody was horrified.” To cheer up the spirit of the regime’s supporters he added, “those who defy must not be hopeful, Imam’s path and Islamic Republic is alive. (Emphasis mine. See Analysis.) Ayatollah Montazeri, the leading Shiite scholar in Iran, has declared nuclear weapons banned. “If weapons are not used against military men attacking and if they take innocent people as victims they are not allowed both logically and according to canon law.” Mohammadreza Moghise, the head of the Committee of Pursuing the Affairs of the Detainees and Harmed of the Recent Events, was arrested in a raid at his home. Nightly protest of the regime continue in Tehran with people chanting “Allah O Akbar” and “Death to the Dictator”. Large numbers of students at Kermanshah and Babol are being suspended and fined for anti-government activities. Fariba Pajooh, the official translator for for Spanish newspaper Mondo was arrested in Tehran and sent to Evin Prison. She is accused of propagating against the regime. The graffiti campaign against the theocratic regime continues all across Tehran. Analysis. I seldom do analyses of the information about events in Iran. However, in light of the previous posts concerning the health of Ali Khamenei, some analysis is required.
There is no doubt that the regime is in serious trouble. The main revolutionaries, the students of Iran, may well not be able to effect their revolution without building a base of support throughout the country in segments of society that have so far not taken an active part in the revolution. The death of Ali Khamenei may change that. If the theocracy is paralyzed even for a short time by the inability of the Assembly of Experts to elect a new Supreme Guide who can inspire the support of the clerical establishment and the people, all sorts of things might happen.
Hence rumors of clandestine meetings of the senior members of the theocracy and the civil government as outline in Ryan’s previous posts. The theocracy obviously expects chaos as they have not revealed the true state of Khamenei’s health. The theocracy might also be anticipating problems with its enforcement arms: the Revolutionary Guards Corps (RGC) and the Basij.
Who will these people accept as their leader in place of Khamenei? Probably not Rafsanjani or Montazeri or any of the other relatively sane mullahs. What will happen to all their perks under a different Ayatollah? Will the RGC actually be the king maker as the Roman Praetorian Guard was? What difference does all this esoteric musing about succession to the Supreme Guide mean to us? It will point the direction that Iran will take towards the rest of the World. Janati’s comments above point to where the major problem lies in Iran. It is with those who wish to hasten the appearance of the Hidden Imam. Since this Imam will supposedly appear from a well in Iraq, we might take this as an indication of future Iranian policy depending on who is elected Supreme Guide. Source: World Threats
 TEHRAN, Iran — A hard-line cleric sought Friday to head off an attempt to reinvigorate Iran's anti-government movement, warning against a planned opposition rally next month that would coincide with annual state-sponsored demonstrations against the United States. Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, delivering the weekly Muslim prayer sermon in Tehran, also had an unusual warning for the security forces, telling them any soft treatment of those activists already in detention would be considered treason. "Nobody gives a flower to his murderer," he said. Iranian authorities executed a fierce crackdown on the hundreds of thousands of protesters who poured into the streets in response to allegations that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won re-election in June through vote fraud. Opposition groups say at least 72 protesters were killed in the unrest, while government officials insist only 36 people died. Hundreds were detained in sweeps and there were accusations that people were abused and even raped in custody. Iran has also brought more than 100 people, including some of the most senior figures in the country's pro-reform movement, to trial on charges of plotting to overthrow Iran's clerical leadership. Three of the defendants have been sentenced to death. Under the government's campaign, street protests fizzled and the opposition has been unable to decisively regroup. The last significant protest was on Sept. 18, when tens of thousands of protesters — many chanting "Death to the dictator!" — rallied in defiance of a ban on the march by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and clashed with police. That rally coincided with a government-organized anti-Israel protest held annually. Opposition Web sites say another attempt will be made on Nov. 4, when there are calls for a rally coinciding with another yearly state-sponsored event — a day of marches to mark the anniversary of the 1979 student takeover of the U.S. Embassy. Jannati, whose sermon was broadcast live on state radio, accused the opposition of seeking to transform the event into an outpouring of support for the U.S. Iranian authorities have sought since the unrest first broke out to portray the activists as tools of the West, particularly America and Britain. "They want to show their pro-American and pro-Israeli nature on the day," Jannati said. "If they are allowed, they will say, 'Long live the U.S. and Israel."' Jannati, a zealous supporter of President Ahmadinejad, heads a clerical body that oversees elections and parliamentary decisions. Jannati asked intelligence services and the judiciary to deal harshly with detainees and said any officials who do not would be committing treason. Source: FoxNews
 By NASSER KARIMI Iranian authorities have opened an investigation into former presidential candidate Mahdi Karroubi, a report said Tuesday, in a possible first step toward unleashing the hard-line judiciary on the opposition's top leaders. No formal charges have been filed, but the probe signals that Iran's Islamic leadership could use the courts against the most senior dissenters — whose claims include widespread vote fraud in June's disputed presidential elections and abuses by security forces against protesters in the violent aftermath. The powerful Revolutionary Guard and other pro-regime groups have urged for charges against the top opposition figures, including Karroubi, fellow reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami.
More than 100 activists and political figures have already been tried on charges that include seeking to overthrow the Islamic system. The official Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi as saying an investigative file has been opened on Karroubi and the case is under review by a special cleric court. Dolatabadi said "some individuals have already been summoned" as part of the inquest in Karroubi — a Shiite cleric and former parliament speaker — and added that 10 more people would go on trial on charges related to the postelection turmoil. But the report gave no names or further details. Iran's judiciary is firmly under control of the ruling Judicial authorities and could not be immediately reached for comment. But it's likely the investigation would include Karroubi's explosive accusations of abuses by security forces. Karroubi has led claims of rape and torture against protesters detained during the demonstrations and clashes following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. Karroubi has demanded high-level investigations into the abuse claims. Karroubi's newspaper, Etemad-e-Melli, was banned by authorities in August. Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has denied the allegations of rape and abuses by security forces, saying a parliament probe into the allegations had found no truth in the reports. The judicial probe could be an attempt at further pressure to muzzle opposition. Any effort to bring charges would open a new front by authorities to destroy the top ranks of the opposition movement with possible serious charges of "propagating against Islamic system" — which can bring long prison terms. The Special Cleric Court operates in heavy secrecy and its proceedings are closed to the public. Iranian authorities have faced international condemnation for the crackdowns following the June election, but attention has greatly shifted to the regime's negotiations with Western powers over its nuclear program. Another round of talks is planned for later this month Source: AP
 Three Iranians have been tentatively sentenced to death in connection with post-election protest activities, according to semi-official state media. The three -- who were identified only by initials -- were accused of contacts with opposition groups, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported Saturday. The death sentences can be appealed, ISNA reported, quoting Bashiri Rad, director of public relations of the Tehran judiciary. No other information was released about the three defendants or the charges they faced. The Iranian government restricts the activity of journalists in Iran, making it difficult for news organizations to independently obtain or confirm information. Tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets in protest following the country's contested June 12 presidential election. Incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a second term despite widespread fraud accusations by supporters of opposition candidates. Dozens of protesters have been tried in the months since. Opposition presidential candidates Mehdi Karrubi and Mir Hossein Moussavi have alleged that those convicted were tortured into confessing, and that some defendants were raped in prison. Reformist former President Mohammad Khatami condemned "the atrocities committed at certain detention centers, as well as those committed during arrests, which, in some cases, resulted in murder," according to a statement issued by his office in August. The Iranian government initially denied such accusations. But state media reported in August that authorities had fired and arrested the chief of an Iranian jail that was closed amid allegations of mistreatment of detainees. Source: CNN
 One dreadful day, the bullet of a henchman of tyranny pierced the young heart of Neda Agha Sultan, and she collapsed on the pavement, gasped for air as her crimson blood painted the black asphalt. Her music teacher along with a young doctor tried desperately to revive her. They kept frantically telling her not to be afraid, not to be afraid. The music teacher was witnessing the death of his young student and all he could do was to breathe encouragement in the vain hope of keeping her alive. Her mouth began to spurt blood and her eyes rolled to the side. As people crowded around her in screams and wails, she stared peacefully into the cell phone camera that captured the final moments of her life. Neda, the young and beautiful freedom-loving Iranian music student was slain in cold-blood by the current Islamic regime in Iran. Almost instantly, Neda became, not only the divine call of the Iranian revolution, but she symbolized the call for liberty around the world.
Like millions of people around the globe who were profoundly saddened by the untimely death of a young and innocent Iranian woman, the Master Sculptor, Paula Slater, was also deeply affected by the death of Neda on that graphic video. In fact, waves of human soul cried out loud for the injustice in Iran.
This was the moment of unity, people of all races, classes and nationalities became one people and one voice in expressing their revulsion at the barbarity of a murdering regime and its savage henchmen.
No sooner the final shovels of dirt covered the precious body of Neda that on the other side of the world Paula—a distinguished artist and daughter of humanity – devoted endless hours sculpting a bust of the murdered young woman.
No one commissioned this talented artist, no one even asked her to do the magnificent work of immortalizing Neda. The sensitive artist later reported: “My schedule was packed with Public Art commissions to complete, but I was so saddened by the tragic events in Iran that I needed to turn the pain I felt into art before I could proceed with my other sculpting projects.” Read more here ... Source: Amil Imani
Latest recipient of The MASH Award
 These events have been reported to World Threats. President Ahmadinejad was slated to attend the opening of the new educational year at Tehran University. He did not appear.
At 10:00 AM local time, Kamram Daneshju, the Minister of Higher Education, appeared at Tehran university. He was greeted with shouts of “Coup government resign. Students will die but never give up and death to the dictator.” the crowd is estimated at 1000 students outside the library. The soccer match between Abomoslem and Esteghlal in Mashad degenerated into clashes between young people and the security forces. The participants at the funeral of Parviz Meshkatian, the prominent artist and musician, refused to allow the representative from the Ministry of guidance to speak. Parviz Mashkatian died of a heart attack in Tehran on September 22nd. He was one of the innovators of Original Persian Music and refused to bow to the regime. A member of the leadership of the Majlis reacted to the protests against Ahmadinejad in New York. To quote the member, ” it is natural that the enemies of the System could not tolerate the effective presence of Ahmadinejad in the most effective universal assembly. What is surprising is the presence of those who say they follow Imam Khomeini but their supporters stand beside these elements of an infidel group.” Photos of people murdered in the recent uprisings are now being sold on the streets of Tehran. The regime is starting to force employers to spy on their employees. The regime has decreed that female mannequins in clothing stores may not have heads or their shops will be closed for a week. We again list the names and ages of detainees in an effort to help keep them alive. Maryam Rashidi, 26.
Mona Otadi, 28
Samaneh Amiri, 30
Katayoon Shahinfar, 28.
Payman Kavian, 29.
Ahmadreza Babapoor Dailami, 31.
Saeed Arabloo Jamalzedah, age unknown.
Mansour Kazemzadeh, 33.
Amir Khani, 27.
Arash Shahbazi, 22.
Behzad Khoshnam Farahani, 29.
Mohammad Sadegh Qolamrazaee, 25.
Abolfazi Allah Dadi, 26.
Massoud Shirazad, 30.
Ali Hashemian, 20.
Hossein Khailizadeh, 26.
Mohsen Fahang, 23.
Amin Armin, 24.
Ahmad Adl, 26.
Fardin Barzgar, 31.
Fraidon Zahed, 31.
Mahdi Mosavi, 19.
Mohammad Kiarsai, 31.
Matin Haydarzadeh, 30.
Babak Khodaee, 20. Check World Threats YouTube page for new videos. Source: World Threats
 By Nissan Ratzlav-Katz Iran's Islamist leadership is worried that opposition forces in the country will use the cover of Quds Day - an annual 'national holiday' of anti-Israel rallies and marches - for anti-regime protests in Tehran.Iranian dissidents, for their part, are encouraging just that outcome, in order to reignite the nascent local pro-democracy movement, which has primarily gone underground since massive rallies led to violent state repression in the wake of Iranian elections in June. According to Iranian pro-democracy sources, reformists of all types are intending to protest against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday, even at the state-sponsored Quds Day rallies themselves. Many Iranian dissidents active online urged supporters of "a free Iran" to attend the official state rallies in order to undermine them. Such rallies normally feature chants of "Death to Israel" and "Death to America", but some Iranians are planning to respond to the chant leaders with, "Death to the dictator" and "Death to Khamenei", in reference to Ahmadinejad and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. In addition to general opposition to the regime, many protesters are planning to link their slogans to the theme of the day with demands to halt ongoing transfers of financial aid to the Palestinian Authority. They see the money transfers as "disregard for the Iranian people's money", which should be spent at home. One Iranian activist wrote in an online forum: "This year Iranians are going to come to [the] streets to protest not Israel's occupation of Palestine, but occupation of Iran by the illegitimate and unwanted Islamic Republic of Iran." Former Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini initiated Quds Day after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, but the idea quickly caught on internationally. It is marked on the last Friday of Ramadan, which falls this week, and is meant to keep the issue of Israel at the forefront of Muslim thought at the climax of the month-long period of religious introspection and fasting. Read more here ...Source: INN
By Middle East correspondent Anne Barker Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he has no proof the leaders of the recent post-election unrest were backed by foreign countries. Iran's rulers have consistently accused Western nations - namely Britain and the United States - of plotting to destabilise the country after the disputed presidential election and of helping to incite the wave of unrest. The opposition says dozens of people died and hundreds were arrested during the protests following the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad. Among the hundreds of people on trial are several foreign embassy staff. Iran also expelled two British diplomats and several foreign journalists. Read more here ... Source: ABC Online
 Iran prosecutors called for the death penalty for Saeed Hajjarian at his trialBy Jenny Booth Iran has called for the death penalty on former government ministers who were today put on trial for allegedly orchestrating pro-democracy protests. One of the first in the dock in today's mass hearing was Saeed Hajjarian, a former deputy intelligence minister who is opposed to the hardine regime of President Ahmadinejad. Mr Hajjarian is accused of acting against Iran's national security - a crime punishable by death. “Hajjarian is charged with acting against national security and propaganda against the Islamic establishment by spreading suspicion of vote-rigging ... and provoking illegal protests,” Iran's official IRNA news agency reported from the trial. “The prosecutor ... called for maximum punishment for Hajjarian considering the importance of the case.” A roll call of other once senior politicians from the moderate 1997-2005 presidency of Mohammad Khatami, who backed opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in the recent election, were also facing the prospect of similar penalties in the Revolutionary Court. Sitting in rows in prison clothes and slippers in the courtroom today were a former deputy interior minister, a former deputy foreign minister, a once government spokesman, a former economy minister and an ex-mines and industry minister, all to be seen silently listening to the charges read out by a prosecutor, in images broadcast on Iranian state television. A newspaper editor was also on trial. Read more here ...Source: Times Online
John Lyons | August 06IRANIANS play politics hard.When the Shah of Iran died in exile in Egypt in 1980, the Islamic regime announced the news on radio with words that, it's fair to say, showed something of a bias: "The bloodsucker of the century is dead."Today, Iranians are playing it just as hard, except this time it's the Islamic regime of the ayatollahs that is facing wrath from within its ranks. Iran is unravelling; the regime is splitting open. The present course -- with the regime clinging to power by using its security apparatus to crush gatherings in the streets while foreign capital flees -- is unsustainable.
Even the most carefully scripted set-pieces are starting to go wrong. The awkwardness was clear this week as Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei congratulated President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his second term. Compared with the same event four years ago -- when Ahmadinejad kissed his leader's hand and Khamenei hugged him -- this time neither man seemed to want to show too much affection. Both men are fighting for survival and may need to cut the other loose very shortly. The obvious discomfort comes amid a titanic struggle at the top of Iran's regime. Iran appears to be moving inexorably towards another crisis. The ayatollahs appear to be doomed: the broad support for people who want to choose their government rather than have a fundamentalist regime imposed on them is compelling. And when cemeteries become venues for protest, you know a regime is in trouble. A few days ago, hundreds gathered at the graveside of Neda Agha Soltan, who was captured on video dying, blood spilling from her nose and mouth, after being shot from a nearby building on June 20. At the cemetery there were reportedly chants of "Neda is alive, Ahmadinejad is dead!" as police tried to disperse the crowd. Given the regime's policy of using live ammunition at protests, those seeking change are using events such as services at graveyards to avoid mass shootings. After the June election the government succeeded in blasting the middle class off the street.
However, the regime appears fatally wounded: there are now too many influential people trying to bring it down from the inside. Read more here.... Source: The Australian
 | | At least 500 people are believed to have been arrested during the mass protests in Iran [File: EPA] | | Iranian authorities have released 140 people detained during a crackdown on protesters following last month's disputed presidential election. The detainees were freed on Tuesday during a visit to the Evin prison in the capital, Tehran, by a parliamentary committee investigating prisoners' conditions. The protesters were among at least 500 people believed to have been arrested during demonstrations that erupted after the June 12 vote, which resulted in the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the country's president. Kazem Jalili, a spokesman for the committee, said another 150 people remain in detention across Iran and could be released soon, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Also detained are 50 "political figures and members of counter-revolutionary or foreign groups who meddled in the riots", Jalili said. Reports of abuse The move on Tuesday followed an order from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, to close a second detention centre where opposition protesters were detained. Iranian state media said the Kahrizak centre was closing because authorities there were unable to preserve detainees' rights. Alireza Ronaghi, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, said the parliamentary committee was initially motivated to launch its investigation after reports of mistreatment and abuse of the prisoners. "But what appears to have been the main reason for the investigation was the death of the son of a highly respected conservative politician," he said. "Mohsen Rouhalamini, who was arrested on July 9, was said to be killed in prison. Authorities said he had died from meningitis, but there were reports that his teeth were smashed. "The news was taken very seriously by the conservatives as it revealed that the violence was spiraling out of control." Although the protests have largely been quelled, political tensions continue to run high in Iran with the defeated candidates refusing to accept the result. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, two defeated presidential candidates, say the vote was rigged. Source: Al Jazeera (English)
Two minute silence WORLDWIDE, Thursday July 30 11am/6:30pm for 40th day anniversary. Source and Updates: Atlas
According to news received by the International Committee against Executions, 29 people are to be executed tomorrow, Saturday, in Ghezal Hesar prison in Karaj. It has been reported that the 29 have been separated from other prisoners. There is no information on their charges.
The executions are being carried out in order to intimidate people and is directed at the protesting people of Iran.
We are calling for people in Iran and everywhere to condemn the executions and exert pressure to stop them.
Please send your Protest letters to:
President Islamic Republic of Iran
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran 13168-43311
Islamic Republic of Iran
E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
Chief of State
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei,
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street - Shahid Keshvar Doust Street,
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
E-Mail: info@leader.ir / Fax: +98-21 649 5880 (unreliable)
Minister of Justice
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Office of the Head of Justice
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., South of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 13168-14737
Islamic Republic of Iran
E-Mail: info@dadgostary-tehran.ir / Fax: +98-21 879 6671/640 4018 or 4019 (unreliable)
Thank you for your solidarity and ongoing support for our Iranian colleagues.
Yours faithfully,
Saeed Valadbaygi
Source: Revolutionary Road
H/T: Atlas
 By Rep. Sue Myrick President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: As demonstrators in Iran continue to voice their support for democracy, I am deeply concerned that Iranian-American voices are not being heard. Their cultural and personal ties to the uprising in Iran are invaluable and deserve the attention of our great country. Mr. President, below are a sample of statements on the uprising from Iranian-American leaders from across the US. I hope you will have your staff contact the people behind these statements to utilize their knowledge. No one better understands Iran, and what is happening on the ground there, than those with direct links to the country. Few in America should have greater say about our policy toward Iran than Iranian-Americans who fear for the safety of their friends and family still living in Iran. "Mr. President it is now proven to you and your advisors that no matter what you say or don’t say the Islamic regime in Iran, like all other dictators, will blame United States because without it they have no other reason for being in power. This is an inescapable fact. Your advisors also know that the Islamic regime in Iran will drag negotiations without any outcome the history has proven this fact. Now that the people of Iran have been able to use a window of opportunity to prove to the world that this regime is not their representative, standing with them, is the right political decision to make. Oppressed people have always looked to America for freedom." Read more ... Source: FPMBarack Obama
Latest recipient of The Dhimmi Award
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