The crackdown in Iran

By Michelle Malkin  •  December 29, 2009 10:31 AM

The Guardian details the latest on the new wave of arrests in Iran amid another round of regime complaints that the homegrown protests are Western-fomented:

Authorities in Iran intensified their drive to snuff out the opposition movement overnight by arresting the relatives of prominent activists, including the sister of the Nobel laureate and human rights campaigner Shirin Ebadi.

The arrests came as the Iranian foreign ministry summoned the British ambassador in Tehran, Simon Gass, to complain that western countries, including Britain, had fomented renewed protests on Sunday that left at least eight people dead.

Ebadi – winner of the 2003 Nobel peace prize – said her sister, Dr Noushin Ebadi, a lecturer in medicine at Tehran Azad university, was arrested at her home last night by four intelligence agents. She was taken to an unknown location. Shirin Ebadi, who is currently in London, said the arrest was intended to pressure her into giving up her human rights work.

“During the past two months, [my sister] has been summoned by the intelligence ministry several times and ordered to persuade me to stop my human rights activities,” Ebadi said in a statement posted on the reformist website Rah-e Sabz. “She was also ordered to vacate her home, which adjoins my apartment. She was threatened that if she failed to comply with these two demands, she would be arrested.”

The arrest coincided with the detentions of relatives of other prominent figures, including Shapour Kazemi, brother-in-law of the reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, and Leila Tavassoli, niece of the former foreign minister Ebrahim Yazdi, who has also been detained. It was the second time Kazemi, the brother of Mousavi’s wife, Zahra Rahnavard, has been arrested since June’s disputed presidential election.

The latest detention came after Mousavi’s nephew, Ali Mousavi Khamane, was killed on Sunday in what his family allege was an assassination by security forces. At least 20 prominent figures, including journalists, have been arrested since Sunday’s clashes, which took place on the Shia holy day of Ashura.

The son of Iranian opposition figure Ebrahim Yazdi speaks out.

And the son of another leading opposition figure, Mahdi Karroubi, says his movements have been limited.

FrontPageMag: Iranians’ Cry for Freedom – by Lisa Daftari

~ For the latest breaking news, be sure to join Michelle's e-mail list ~
Posted in: Iran,Repression

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Comments


  1. #1
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am, b-cat said:

    Rounding up relatives of the opposition? They’re taking hostages.

  2. #2
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am, desertdweller said:

    And where does our administration stand?

  3. #3
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:42 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Won’t disturb the Annointed One’s vacation. Not in the least.

  4. #4
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am, DBNinKY said:

    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

  5. #5
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am, paulrtaylor said:

    I have been following this on twitter and it seems the people of Iran are not going to give up on this movement. We need to stand behind them and in thier struggle against the oppression. It would be great if they were to throw out the current gov.

  6. #6
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am, b-cat said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am, DBNinKY said:
    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    The usual reason for Democrats is to play footsie with the enemies of freedom.

  7. #7
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:50 am, graysonret said:

    Here, the government blames every problem on “the rich” and capitalism. There they blame every problem on the West. It’s the same old thing; create an enemy and steer the citizens’ attention there.

  8. #8
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:51 am, SpeakEasy said:

    Absentee landlord. This will be his most glaring failure.

    Bush = Purple fingered, free Iraqis.
    Obama = Graves of political activists.

  9. #9
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:51 am, cheapseat said:

    but ed, the child king has worked sooo hard this year, he and the dear queen need this vacation. remember how the dems used to APPLAUD bush when he would go to his home in texas for 30 days. now the obamas go globe trotting for 60 – 90 days amid every week parties at the white house and our press and it’s masters the dnc say absolutely nothing. cape cod in the summer, hawaii in the winter, africa, london, paris, russia, china, and of course stockholm in between. it’s no wonder he had to turn over the small stuff like healthcare to morons like pelosi and reid.

  10. #10
    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:58 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am, b-cat said:
    Rounding up relatives of the opposition? They’re taking hostages.

    Obama: Gee, haven’t tried that yet. Rahm! Get in here!

  11. #11
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:00 am, TigerLady said:

    cheapseat said:

    Don’t single out Pelosi and Reid for morons. My vote for the pirze is Napolitano.

    Don’t you feel safer knowing she’s in charge of homeland security? I was so happy to hear that the system worked in regard to the panty bomber. I slept like a baby after reading her comments. /sarc off

  12. #12
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:11 am, RedDog said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am, DBNinKY said:
    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    He’s still looking for his magic hat. Someone told him it was there.

  13. #13
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:13 am, prendad said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am, DBNinKY said:
    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    He probably wants to catch the windsurfing at Latyan Dam Resevoir just outside Tehran and, of course, pick up some nice Iranian rugs for the little lady.

  14. #14
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:13 am, txvet2 said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am, DBNinKY said:

    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    I don’t know, but I hope they keep him.

  15. #15
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:13 am, jangar said:

    desertdweller said:
    And where does our administration stand?

    On a beach…and for Marxism/Communism.

  16. #16
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:14 am, RedDog said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:51 am, SpeakEasy said:
    Absentee landlord. This will be his most glaring failure.

    Bush = Purple fingered, free Iraqis.
    Obama = Graves of political activists.

    If it’s not Marxist political activists, Obama is not interested. Remember Honduras and their Chavez wannabe President?

  17. #17
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am, jangar said:

    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    Straddle an anti-aircraft gun for a photo-op? Just a guess…

  18. #18
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:17 am, babiesgrandma said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:45 am, DBNinKY said:

    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    I’m guessin’ that he wants to be like Clinton (Hill OR Billary) and “rescue” the political prisoners Iran just took.

  19. #19
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:18 am, Southpaw said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am, desertdweller said:

    And where does our administration stand?

    On the golf course…can’t be bothered with trifles like people fighting for their lives and their freedom.

    Barack Antoinette: “Let them eat bullets”

  20. #20
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:20 am, nail49 said:

    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    It’s a continuation of his Road Trip to Paris to meet with the North Vietnamese. He will then follow up with Congressional testimony (false, imagined, dreamed up, whispered in his ear by the mullahs) with allegations against of US involvement in the Iranian people’s actions against their overseers.

  21. #21
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:24 am, John Deaux said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am, desertdweller said:
    And where does our administration stand?

    The roundups here won’t begin until the 2012 campaign.

  22. #22
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:26 am, Roland said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am, desertdweller said:
    And where does our administration stand?

    The mad mullahs are unpopular with the global elites in Europe, so Obama can’t support them outright, but the rebels are clearly insufficiently anti-American, and they are possibly even inclined to look favorably on America, so Obama most certainly cannot support them.

    So Obama has no real interest in that struggle.

    I wish I was joking.

  23. #23
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:29 am, walterc said:

    I keep waiting to hear about Jimmy Carter and Jesse Jackson planning a trip to negotiate a peaceful settlement.

    You know, a little hand holding, a few rounds of Kumbya and it’s all good.

    ‘Nother peace price in the bag.

  24. #24
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am, b-cat said:

    ‘Nother peace price in the bag.

    You don’t have to work that hard for the Peace Prize, evidently.

  25. #25
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Street protests brought down the Shah-basically a military/police coup. The crowds can bring down the mullies IF they have a significant backing of the Iranian populace. If they do not have such a backing there is not much we can do. This military is no way tied to our’s so there is not much we can do. Thousands of officers who helped bring down the Shah were later executed by Khomani–I do not see a repeat.

    We do not belong there.

  26. #26
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am, JohnnyD said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am, jangar said:
    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?
    Straddle an anti-aircraft gun for a photo-op? Just a guess…

    That’s a thread winner if there ever was one….

    I wonder what will be seared, seared into his brain….

  27. #27
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:42 am, nail49 said:

    I wonder what will be seared, seared into his brain….

    If he speaks out FOR the mullahs I imagine some of the revolutionaries would like to have a 9MM ‘searing’ his brain!

  28. #28
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:48 am, hawkeye54 said:

    where does our administration stand?

    Stand?? on this?? c’mon, it took some valuable vacation time to stand and mumble a few words on that terro..I mean incident on Christma..I mean Winter Holiday day. One stand is enough for one vacation. Now let the admin get back to its waffles, golf and body surfing. Besides, Iran is such a tiny and insignificant country.

  29. #29
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Does anyone know the real reason why John Kerry wants to go to Iran?

    As the man has not done one good thing in his life I can only make a wild guess: for no good. But he might just be trying to get away from Teresa for awhile. How did that cow ever get into my country? Mix a cow with a pig and see what we get?

  30. #30
    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:52 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Report said Kerry may change his mind on visiting Iran.

    I hope he does go, just in time for Israeli airstrikes while he tours the enrichment facilitues at Natanz.

  31. #31
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:02 pm, John Deaux said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am, b-cat said:

    You don’t have to work that hard for the Peace Prize, evidently.

    I made a sandwich this morning. – That’s a peace prize.

  32. #32
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:02 pm, tre said:

    I’ll mail my Savage M110 .30-’06 rifle to a protestor. They need it more than I do now.

  33. #33
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, Blackstone said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:48 am, hawkeye54 said:
    where does our administration stand?
    Stand?? on this?? c’mon, it took some valuable vacation time to stand and mumble a few words on that terro..I mean incident on Christma..I mean Winter Holiday day. One stand is enough for one vacation. Now let the admin get back to its waffles, golf and body surfing. Besides, Iran is such a tiny and insignificant country.

    Now you really need to give Obama just a little more credit than that. I’m sure this has made him all the more willing to hold that face-to-face, no-preconditions meeting with Ahmadinejad.

    By the way, some good news: apparently the Iraqis are souring on Iran. It’s over a different issue than the Iranian demonstrations (at least so far), but nonetheless it’s not just Sunnites who are upset. It’s both sectarian groups:

    “In Kerbala, traditionally a Shia Muslim city with strong Iranian connections, more than 100 lawyers marched on the Iranian consulate. They waved banners, and ‘chanted for the unity of Iraq, for life and to drive out the occupiers’, a journalist who attended the march said.”

    (and just in case there’s any confusion, by “occupiers” they definitely weren’t referring to us)

  34. #34
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, purplepeep said:

    For the latest on Iran the twitter feed is:

    #iranelection

    Or you can just go to Google and type in that same term for the updates: #iranelection

    You get the news at least a day faster and more in depth than from the media.

  35. #35
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:05 pm, purplepeep said:

    Like this tweet for example:
    “10-15 students abducted 2day by plain clothes agents at Science & Tech Uni (fa)”

  36. #36
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:12 pm, Hangfire said:

    Sorry, friends.

    The best answer is to drop guns and ammo to both sides. I care for neither faction.

    The government is corrupt, and the opposition is largely Shiite fanatics.

  37. #37
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:12 pm, babbledabble said:
  38. #38
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, carole said:

    Anyone across the country who is interested in phone-banking on Scott Brown’s behalf, please contact Field Director Brad Hansen at:

    brad@brownforussenate.com or call 509-595-4683

  39. #39
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:17 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:12 pm, babbledabble said:

    The One is “too tired”, poor thing…

    That article is guaranteed to make you lose your lunch.

  40. #40
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:18 pm, GladzKravtz said:

    The government is corrupt, and the opposition is largely Shiite fanatics.

    But aren’t the ruling mullahs Shiite? Doesn’t Aquadinnerjacket answer to them?

    I sure hope the true opposition are the youth who are open to Western cultures.

  41. #41
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:30 pm, Last Massachusetts Conservative said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, carole said:
    Anyone across the country who is interested in phone-banking on Scott Brown’s behalf, please contact Field Director Brad Hansen at:

    brad@brownforussenate.com or call 509-595-4683

    Carole, you were off topic but this a GREAT point and opportunity. I am working to help elect Scott Brown. This is our chance, in THREE WEEKS, to kill the 60-member majority in the senate. And, doing so with Kennedy’s seat would be such a SWEET victory.

    I am surprised and disappointed that the national conservative media is not promoting this. Scott Brown needs contributions from around the country. So much was done to support Doug Hoffman (I sent an out-of-state contribution.) Where is the conservative media on this?

    Michelle Malkin, can you please pick up on this topic? The special election is January 19th.

    Let’s not wait until November 2010 to put in an all-out electoral effort to get back our country!

    Thanks.

  42. #42
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm, Truesoldier said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 10:41 am, desertdweller said:

    And where does our administration stand?

    Obama is still pouting over Ahmadinejad telling him to go stick his year end deadlines where the sun don’t shine. Doesn’t he realize that Obama is the “one”? /sarc

  43. #43
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:39 pm, Hangfire said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:18 pm, GladzKravtz said:
    I sure hope the true opposition are the youth who are open to Western cultures.

    I’m with you. I only hope that the Western culture they identify with is not the America we have become, or a Euro-Socialist culture.

    It all depends on where their professors got their sheepskins.

  44. #44
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:40 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 11:52 am, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:

    Report said Kerry may change his mind on visiting Iran.

    Flip Flop/Flip Flop

    He wanted to go before he didn’t want to go. Flip Flops/Flip Flops everywhere during the 2004 Republican National Convention ;)

    Just one more Viet Nam vet hating Comrade Kerry for nearly 40 years-willing to disparage his country then, willing to disparage his country now.

    But I do have the odd feeling OUR round ups might start in 2010 if it looks as if the Obaminites will lose too many seats. After all our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are the real threats–Nappy said so.

  45. #45
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm, purplepeep said:

    GladzKravtz said:

    The government is corrupt, and the opposition is largely Shiite fanatics.

    But aren’t the ruling mullahs Shiite? Doesn’t Aquadinnerjacket answer to them?

    I sure hope the true opposition are the youth who are open to Western cultures.

    Correct on both counts, GK.

  46. #46
    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:56 pm, T-Bone said:

    Iran: The west is fomenting rebellion in our country.

    US: Damn right we are. What are you going to do about it? Start up your nuclear program?

  47. #47
    On December 29th, 2009 at 1:01 pm, Hangfire said:

    But aren’t the ruling mullahs Shiite? Doesn’t Aquadinnerjacket answer to them?

    He started out giving lip service to the mullahs, but now has grown too powerful with control of the Military. It’s a balancing act that has lasted longer than the experts believed. And of course he was able to court aid from Russia, which the mullahs couldn’t/wouldn’t.

  48. #48
    On December 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm, mattymatt10 said:

    If Iranians want freedom, they should probably move to a country where Islam is not the dominant religion.

    Of course, who knows how much longer that will last?

    Islam is completely unnecessary to the advancement of society.

  49. #49
    On December 29th, 2009 at 1:41 pm, JohnnyD said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm, mattymatt10 said:

    Islam is completely unnecessary to the advancement of society.

    Problem is they think it’s “their” society that needs advancing.

  50. #50
    On December 29th, 2009 at 1:43 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    And where does our administration stand?

    It’s cloudy today. Maybe he’s bowling rather than golfing.

  51. #51
    On December 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm, paulrtaylor said:

    On December 29th, 2009 at 12:18 pm, GladzKravtz said:
    I sure hope the true opposition are the youth who are open to Western cultures.

    From what I have read they want thier freedom and they want seperation of the church from the gov.

  52. #52
    On December 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Uplander said:

    Good article on the Iranian ‘Green Movement’
    By a Lady that has spent a lot of time over there.

  53. #53
    On December 29th, 2009 at 2:27 pm, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    I sure hope the true opposition are the youth who are open to Western cultures.

    If they are this is good. If it is but a case of muzzie killing muzzie–well that isn’t all bad either.

    With the Obamanations in power nothing we do will be good nor helpful to any honest people. I still dream of a really BIG air strike on one of their big parades. But Blue Lips w/ears would screw that up too. But say no more or Old Bambi may appoint Hillary’s consort Czar of Blowing Up Rock Piles.

  54. #54
    On December 29th, 2009 at 6:02 pm, zorro said:

    If these brave freedom fighters were union members, I’m sure the Chicago Thug would have voiced his support for them at this point.

    Pray for the good people of Iran, they need our prayers now more than ever.

You must be logged in to post a comment.


Gateway Pundit

» Barack The Benevolent
Follow me on Twitter Follow me on Facebook