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Iran arrests reformist 'plotters' | Iran arrests reformist 'plotters' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Iranian police say they have arrested a number of opposition supporters planning demonstrations during the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. | Iranian police say they have arrested a number of opposition supporters planning demonstrations during the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. |
Police chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam did not give any details of the arrests, the Fars news agency said. | Police chief Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam did not give any details of the arrests, the Fars news agency said. |
Opposition leaders have called on supporters to gather on Thursday, raising the possibility of violence in cities across the country. | Opposition leaders have called on supporters to gather on Thursday, raising the possibility of violence in cities across the country. |
The authorities have said they will crush any anti-government protests. | The authorities have said they will crush any anti-government protests. |
There have been a number of outbreaks of violence since disputed elections in June 2009, scores of people have been killed and scores more imprisoned, government opponents say. | There have been a number of outbreaks of violence since disputed elections in June 2009, scores of people have been killed and scores more imprisoned, government opponents say. |
Until last year, public protests against Iran's leadership were virtually unheard of. | Until last year, public protests against Iran's leadership were virtually unheard of. |
Threats | Threats |
But after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected last June, opposition leaders have been calling supporters out onto the streets. | But after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected last June, opposition leaders have been calling supporters out onto the streets. |
The Iranian leadership has countered with threats, saying a display of unity from Iranians will deliver a "punch in the face" to opposition reformists and the West, which they accuse of fostering dissent. | The Iranian leadership has countered with threats, saying a display of unity from Iranians will deliver a "punch in the face" to opposition reformists and the West, which they accuse of fostering dissent. |
RECENT UNREST IN IRAN 19 Dec: Influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri dies aged 8721 Dec: Tens of thousands attend his funeral in Qom; reports of clashes between opposition supporters and security forces22 Dec: Further confrontations reported in Qom23 Dec: More clashes reported in city of Isfahan as memorial is held24 Dec: Iran reportedly bans further memorial services for Montazeri except in his birthplace and Qom26 Dec: Clashes reported in central and northern Tehran27 Dec: At least eight dead following anti-government protests in Tehran; 300 reported arrested | RECENT UNREST IN IRAN 19 Dec: Influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri dies aged 8721 Dec: Tens of thousands attend his funeral in Qom; reports of clashes between opposition supporters and security forces22 Dec: Further confrontations reported in Qom23 Dec: More clashes reported in city of Isfahan as memorial is held24 Dec: Iran reportedly bans further memorial services for Montazeri except in his birthplace and Qom26 Dec: Clashes reported in central and northern Tehran27 Dec: At least eight dead following anti-government protests in Tehran; 300 reported arrested |
Mehdi Karoubi, one of the defeated contenders for the presidency, has said he will attend a rally in Tehran, and that his supporters should "follow up on their legal demands silently, but strongly as before". | Mehdi Karoubi, one of the defeated contenders for the presidency, has said he will attend a rally in Tehran, and that his supporters should "follow up on their legal demands silently, but strongly as before". |
He said people should not provoke government forces by chanting radical slogans. | He said people should not provoke government forces by chanting radical slogans. |
The pro-government Basij Islamic militia have been charged by the authorities with keeping order during Thursday's anniversary of the 1979 revolution that toppled Iran's royal family. | The pro-government Basij Islamic militia have been charged by the authorities with keeping order during Thursday's anniversary of the 1979 revolution that toppled Iran's royal family. |
The militia, who have been accused of shocking violence during past demonstrations, are "ready for any possible incident", Mr Moghaddam was quoted by the Reuters news Agency as saying. | The militia, who have been accused of shocking violence during past demonstrations, are "ready for any possible incident", Mr Moghaddam was quoted by the Reuters news Agency as saying. |
"They will let no-one create insecurity," he said. | "They will let no-one create insecurity," he said. |
In December, eight people were killed in clashes at demonstrations during Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Shia Muslim calendar. | In December, eight people were killed in clashes at demonstrations during Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Shia Muslim calendar. |
At least 30 protesters have been killed in clashes since the 2009 election, although the opposition says more than 70 have died. | At least 30 protesters have been killed in clashes since the 2009 election, although the opposition says more than 70 have died. |
More than 80 people have been jailed for up to 15 years, including former government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former deputy economy minister Mohsen Safaie Farahani and former industry minister Behzad Nabavi. | More than 80 people have been jailed for up to 15 years, including former government spokesman Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former deputy economy minister Mohsen Safaie Farahani and former industry minister Behzad Nabavi. |
Some 200 activists remain in detention. | Some 200 activists remain in detention. |
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