Oct 2009

Khatami: Deviations of the system must be rectified

Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami speaking in the Tehran University Islamic Association said the Islamic Republic system has suffered “deviations” which need to be rectified on the basis of “religious and revolutionary principles."

Karroubi aide, Mortreza Alviri released on bail

Mehdi Karroubi's senior aide Morteza Alviri who was arrested in the post-election events was released today after posting bail, according to Mehr News Agency. Reports of the release of another prominent reformist detainees, Behzad Nabavi, were denied by his family.

Mousavi: People's opponents will leave the scene

Iranian opposition leader MirHosein Mousavi issued a statement today to address the approach of November 4th, the anniversary of occupation of the US embassy in Iran and Day of the Student. He maintained that "the people's opponents will soon leave the scene" and that no one can impede the actualization of people's demands.

Sentences issued for 50 Iranian detainees

Chief Deputy of Iran's judiciary announced that they have issued sentences for 50 cases of the post-election detainees but revealed no further details claiming they will need to pass through other stages in the judiciary.

Reformist cleric aviods Shiite celebration in support of political detainees

Ayatollah Montazeri, the senior Shiite cleric and one of the most vocal critics of the Islamic Republic has announced that he will not celebrate the birthday of Imam Reza, an important Shiite day of celebration, to express his sympathies with the families of the post-election detainees.

Detained journalist, Mohammad Ghouchani released

Mohammad Ghouchani, editor-in-chief- of Etemad-e Melli newspaper was released this morning at 2 a.m. according to Tagheer website. The journalist was released after 131 days in Evin prison with a bail of 2 billion rials.

Tajbakhsh's appeal impeded by Iranian judiciary

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran announced that Iran judiciary has impeded the defence attorney of Kian Tajbakhsh to appeal his sentence. Kyan Tajbakhsh, Iranian-American scholar and social scientist who was arrested in the post-election unrest, has been convicted of “sedition" and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Families of Iranian detainees to go on hunger strike

The families of the post-election detainees, pointing out the silence of the state media regarding their rally yesterday in front of Tehran's judiciary building, announced that they will start a “political hunger strike” tomorrow, October 30, to protest the imprisonment of their loved ones.

Prison sentence for British embassy employee in Iran

Hossein Ressam, the 44-year-old employee of British Embassy who was arrested in the post-election events has been sentenced to four years in prison by Iranian judiciary. British foreign minister condemned the sentence and called it an affront to the diplomatic community in Iran.

Iran Prosecutor-General confirms receiving lawsuit against Mousavi

While prosecutor of Tehran announced on Monday that he has received no official complaints against opposition leader, MirHosein Mousavi, on Wednesday, Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejei, Prosecutor-General of Iran announced that he has received the lawsuit filed by100 members of Iran's parliament against the opposition leader.

Iran opposition leaders meet

Mirhosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, the two disputing candidates of the June presidential elections in Iran met today to discuss the current situation of the country and together emphasized the need for truthful media coverage of current events and issues.

Families of political prisoners rally in Tehran

Families of a number of post election detainees in Iran along with a group of social activists rallied in front of the judiciary building in Tehran holding placards demanding the release of their loved ones. Reports from Tehran say that security forces and plain clothes elements surrounded the group and impeded the public from joining the rally.

Opposition leaders condemned by Iran supreme leader

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei accused reformist leaders of the “great crime” of making “baseless” claims that the recent elections were “false.” Speaking to a group of experts, he maintained that the reformist leaders failed to heed his early warnings and have thus become pawns in the hands of the enemies of the regime.

Swine flu on the spread in Iran

Iran Minister of Health Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi announced today that between three to four thousand people are being infected with the H1N1 flu type A each day in Iran. She also announced that the ministry has directed schools with too many cases of swine flu to be shut down.

Reform cleric: Give permission for peaceful protest!

Refomist cleric, Abdullah Nuri called on the establishment to weigh the impact of protesters by giving them permission for peaceful demonstrations. He warned the authorities that by not giving them official permission, they are insinuating that protesters are in the majority.

Reformist group Combatant Clerics calls for self-restraint

Opposition group Association of Combatant Clerics warned its supporters and election protesters to remain calm and restrained even if they are confronted with violence by government forces. Foreseeing possible altercations, their statement on Norooz website insists on people's constitutional right to freedom of speech and gathering.

Families of Iranian detainees to stage protests

The families of the post-election detainees in Iran have announced that they will stage a peaceful protest on October 28 and if their call for the release of their loved ones is unanswered, they will proceed to go on a hunger strike and seek the aid of international human rights and legal groups.

Mehdi Karroubi sends message of resistance

Iranian opposition leader, Mehdi Karroubi who was physically attacked by a pro-Ahmadinejad crowd on Friday during a visit to a press and media exhibition in Tehran, in a video message announced once more that he will not step back and allow his opponents to "isolate" him.

No lawsuits against Mousavi at Tehran judiciary

Tehran's prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, announced today that the judiciary has not received any lawsuits against opposition leader MirHosein Mousavi. Last week's announcement that 100 MPs have filed a lawsuit against Mr. Mousavi has thus been refuted.

Ayatollah Khamenei opposed to direct talks with US

Mohammadreza Bahonar, deputy speaker of Iran's parliament announced today that Ayatollah Khamenei and the National Security Council are opposed to direct negotiations between Iran and the US, and despite various recent direct talks between Iranian and US officials, they feel the time for these negotiations has not come yet.