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Wednesday
Mar032010

The Latest from Iran (3 March): Love and Hate

2015 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch: The family of journalist Emaddedin Baghi have visited him in prison. Baghi's wife Fatemeh Kamali  said, "Although he became weak, his spirit is very strong."

1920 GMT: P.S. Fatemeh Karroubi has said that she will file a lawsuit against the Iranian Press Supervisory Board for shutting down Iran Dokht magazine.

NEW Iran: Today’s Rafsanjani Watch — Clarity or Confusion?
NEW Iran Interview: The State of Tehran’s Nuclear Programme (Cirincione)
Iran Document: Women Activists Write Mousavi & Karroubi

Iran Analysis: The Mousavi Strategy “We Are Still Standing”
The Latest from Iran (2 March): Can The Regime Defuse the Crisis?


1900 GMT: Karroubi Watch. Fatemeh Karroubi, Mehdi Karroubi’s wife, has written an open letter to the Iranian nation after the closure of the magazine Iran Dokht and an attack on her home by plainclothesmen who threw eggs and tomatoes: "I should feel sorry for the country when its Government can’t even tolerate the only press that will critique it."


Karroubi declared, "It’s very disappointing that the Government pays a bunch of bullies to insult the family of the revolutionaries and the family of martyrs." She warned that the fundamentalist totalitarian movement, whose infiltration of the Government worried Imam Khomeini, was now trying to use any opportunity to slaughter the progressive principles of the Constitution.

Fatemeh Karroubi singled out Deputy Minister of Culture Mo-Amin Ramin, whom she claims called the Karroubi home and "threatened them with offensive language", including references to the execution of Mehdi Karroubi. She warned Ramin and his "like-minded allies" that they could never slaughter an idea and that their illegal and unusual behaviours are doomed.

1855 GMT: Defending the Journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists and other organisations have started "Our Society will be a Free Society" to campaign for detained reporters.

1820 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch (cont.). Journalist Noushin Jafari and student Sina Shokouhi have been released.

1640 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Green Voices of Freedom reports that journalist Morteza Kazemian has been released.

An Iranian activist writes that journalist Reza Nourbakh, arrested on 4 August, has also been released on bail.

1600 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch. Today's statement of clarification from Hashemi Rafsanjani is so ambiguous that we had to give it a separate entry.

1150 GMT: Economy Watch. Hassan Rohani, a member of the Expediency Council and ally of Hashemi Rafsanjani, has warned that Iran could become an oil importer if its current policies and state of production continue.

1145 GMT: Political Prisoner Watch. Green Voices for Freedom reports that women’s rights activist Mahboubeh Karami was arrested at her home last night.

0935 GMT: MP Hajsheikh Alikhani has warned that, if necessary, the Iranian Parlaiment will impeach the Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mo-Amin Ramin, to ensure his removal.

0930 GMT: Today's Top Tip. United Press International hands over space to Roger Gale, a British member of Parliament former vice chairman of the Conservative Party, to offer this suggestion:
Lifting the ban on the MeK (Mujahedin-e-Khalq, designated by the State Department as a "foreign terrorist organization") would allow the United States and its partners to negotiate with the regime from a position of strength if ever an opportunity did arise. And it would be a cost-free opportunity for the Obama administration to show some teeth to a pariah regime that understands only the language of force.

0915 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz posts that a French satellite provider is threatening to cut off Iranian state channels if Iran does not cease its "jamming" of broadcasts such as BBC Persian.

0825 GMT: RAHANA reports that Sharif University student Mehdi Kalari, detained on 7 December, has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison.

0800 GMT: In the 1955 film Night of the Hunter, there is an iconic moment where the villain, played by Robert Mitchum, displays the tattoos on his hands to the camera. On one, "Love". On the other, "Hate".

I am not sure if "Love" and "Hate" are the appropriate words for the regime's efforts, but it is definitely showing two sides to its people. On Tuesday, there was news of more releases of detainees, but there were also the continuing crackdown on the press and the arrest of other activists and public figures. Latest news is of the arrest of another member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, Navid Khanjani.

The detention which attracted the most attention outside Iran was that of prominent film director Jafar Panahi after a Monday night raid on his house. It is unclear how many of the other 17 people in the house, including Panahi's daughter and wife and guests such as documentary maker Mohammad Rasoulof are also in custody.

Tehran chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari Doulatabadi was vague in explaining why Panahi, who was also briefly detained during 30 July demonstrations and has been barred from leaving Iran, is being held apart from declaring, "His arrest is neither related to his profession as an artist nor linked to political motivations." He did indicate,however, that this detention would not be brief, as the director's interrogation "has just begun".

Amongst Iranian activists, however, the display of regime force that is causing the most comment this morning is the alleged death sentence handed down on a post-election detainee, Mohammad Reza Valian. The 20-year-old university student appeared in court on 3 February, accused of crimes such as appearing at the 17 July Friday Prayer service led by Hashemi Rafsanjani, participating in Qods Day protests in September, and throwing stones on Ashura (27 December).

The report is still based on a single Green Movement source and the death sentence has not been announced by Iranian authorities.

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Reader Comments (28)

RE 0800 GMT: the alleged death sentence handed down on a post-election detainee, Mohammad Reza Valian.

20-year-old Student to be executed; What can you do to save him?!
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/mar/02/1351

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine

We have to do everything to prevent the death sentence of this young and innocent boy, Mohammad Reza Valian; this bad news is already in all the media in France :

http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/03/03/01011-20100303FILWWW00450-iran-un-manifestant-condamne-a-mort.php

But the international commitee has to warn and urge iranian regime these murders; there are five other persons sentenced to death waiting for the decisions of court of appeal.
What a SHAME for this governement that advocate human rights !! and in the same time " KILL " young demonstrators !! because of "NOTHING".

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

We have to do everything to prevent the death sentence of this young and innocent boy, Mohammad Reza Valian; this bad news is already in all the media in France :

http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/03/03/01011-20100303FILWWW00450-iran-un-manifestant-condamne-a-mort.php

But the international commitee has to warn and urge iranian regime to avoid these murders; there are five other persons sentenced to death waiting for the decisions of court of appeal.
What a SHAME for this government that advocate human rights !! and in the same time ”KILL” young demonstrators !! because of “NOTHING”.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

A scoop:
The US spokesman, Philip Crowley has said " there is a breakdown between people and regime in Iran":
http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/03/03/01011-20100303FILWWW00402-iran-rupture-peupleregime-usa.php
He says that iranian people have been witnessed of what really happens in Iran and what kink of regime rules the country.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

Breaking up of weapons trafficking in Italy and Iranian secret agents arrested :
http://lci.tf1.fr/filnews/monde/italie-un-trafic-d-armes-vers-l-iran-demantele-5754453.html

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

This is the moment for the all the democratic countries to call in their iranian ambassadors and express their outrage. People must petition the gvt or SL massively to stop this madness and let them know that the world is aware.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterpessimist

President sarkozy has said that :" Dmitri Medvedev wants the "intelligent" sanctions against Iran so that the iranian people don't suffer ", but He says that " I would say "intelligent" and "effective".
Yesterday night , in the news, the journalist said that both of them agree on Human Rights Issues.
http://fr.news.yahoo.com/4/20100301/twl-france-russie-iran-bd5ae06_1.html

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

And here's a translation of Crowley's remarks (post 3):

"There is a fundamental rupture between the regime and the Iranian people. The people see what has happened on the ground in Iran over the last nine months and they understand how the nature of the government has changed from being less and less divinely inspired to ever more representative of a police state."

Referring to the recent shutting down of reformist publications: "They (regime authorities) prevent their own people from accessing information, something which (free access to information) we consider to be a universal right."

Answering a question about the nuclear controversy: "These developments are one of the reasons why we are confident" that Washington will be able to convince the other world powers to sanction the regime...

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine

According to the report by SahamNews, following the attack of a group of thugs and militia to the residence of Mehdi Karoubi and causing problems for his family and neighbours, Fatemeh Karoubi, Mehdi Karoubi’s wife, issued an open letter to Iranian nation.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/mir-hossein-mousavi-myr-syn-mwswy/english-dr-py-mlh-nyrwhy-sbh-nmy-bh-mnzl-rwby-fmh-rwby-dr-nmh-y-srgsdh-tsf-my-kw/338307542605

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

there is black colour on the green part of iranian flag : Poor Reime is Lost !!!!!!!:-)

http://www.tahavolesabz.com/new_show.php/700

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

( Correction )
There is black colour on the green part of iranian flag : Poor Regime is Lost !!!!!!! :-)

http://www.tahavolesabz.com/new_show.php/700

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

It must be the sign of mourning (of their regime).

And oh, disgraceful, I could see an eyebrow on one of those ladies dressed up like crows.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterpessimist

That picture speaks millions, one to keep. The black leaves part of the green, the % of their claimed vote ? The flowers in the foreground, as you see in all the conferences, as if that's all they can offer, and behind, the three crows, what a picture.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterpessimist

He's like you and I, we have the same pictures in our albums , the same life, the same problems, with only this difference thatour youth have this hamoclès sword everytime ; For each lost minute, there are 10 of them killed in Iran; please, "democratic countries" hurry up, help them !
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1371920746342&ref=mf

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

Ange,
Bizarre. Do you know what the context of this picture is and if it's recent?

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine

RE 1150 GMT: Economy Watch

200 Iranian workers take protest to the capital
Following the strikes held by workers of a plant belonging to the Iranian Telecommunications Industry (ITI) in the province of Fars, the workers have decided to take their protests to the Ministry of Industry and Mining in Tehran.
http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/mar/02/1347

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine

RE “Love” - “Hate” regime efforts

This Nikahang cartoon shows the irony of being released from prison:
http://www.roozonline.com/persian/cartoon/cartoon-item/article/2010/march/02//-5bf980ee88.html

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine

Catherine
It's from yesterday I think because, on the picture, it's written Esfand 1388, and the shooted people are the representatives of IR abroad .

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

Also in the spirit of Love/Hate, according to the Twitter account that posted this link,
the Government forbids a memorial for Dr.Mosadegh, an Iranian National Hero!
http://peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=14134
Is this what the article says?

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCatherine

Tuesday, March 2, 2010
International guests (and locals) snub Tehran conference, victim to the Islamic Republic's waning attractiveness for international -- and local -- scholars.

http://homylafayette.blogspot.com/

:-)

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

The story at 1150 is really the most important story out there. Even if the regime could squash the Green Movement (which it has shown no ability to do) it still has absolutely no contingency for how to survive without oil export revenue, which provides the vast majority of funds for the entire state apparatus.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAdam

Soon we will have an economy based entirely on bail bonds.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterzee

Shadi Sadr will meet Hillary Rodham-Clinton during the " Women of Courage Award ceremony" on March 10. It would be great if there is a chance for live - reporting on EA ...........
http://www.zamaaneh.com/enzam/2010/03/iranian-activist-winner-o.html

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commentergunni

16h00 " who are the “certain people” conspiring "
I am sure he's speaking about "AN" & co ; father of Faezeh couldn't be useless !

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterange paris

Re: “love” and “hate”

We are reading this wrong. It is not about Love or Hate, it is a matter of systematic intimidation and getting paid for it.

This is how it works they arrest you to scare the heck out of you and your family. While in jail they work on you and turn you into a hostage for life, and then when they are sure that you will be forever silent then they let you go by paying them a huge sum of money called bail. In other word you are out but you are attached with a chain to the prison cell. Once that is done they bring the next person to turn him/her to a zombie.

For those of you who do not know about the economy in Iran a $100,000 bail is 100,000,000 in Iranian currency and in case of a student or a journalist or even a university professor, that $100, 000 is their entire life possessions. In a case of a worker usually several family members have to put their life possessions up to make bail.

Now you tell me if these people who are aressed and released will ever again stand against this criminal regime in Iran. Just think about it, would you if you were in their shoes? And that is not “love” and “hate”, that is CONTROL and BEAT people to SUBMISSION and SILENCE them FOR EVER.

March 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterMegan

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