The Latest from Iran (16 February): Cutting Off the Opposition, A Year Later

0745 GMT: We begin this morning with a snap analysis of President Ahmadinejad's declarations on Wednesday of dramatic advances in Iran's nuclear programme. Do they have substance? Not really. Are they significant as political theatre, both at home and abroad? Definitely.

Our initial focus, however, is on the bigger story of the regime's efforts to shut down dissent. This was our opening entry on 17 February 2011, just after we learned of the strict house arrests imposed on opposition figures Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi:

The regime's counter-offensive against Monday's revived display of opposition is moving at full pace.

Yesterday, the leadership tried to claim --- metaphorically and literally --- the bodies of two protesters killed on 25 Bahman, Sanee Zhaleh and Mohammad Mokhtari. Zhaleh's funeral was turned into an occasion for the regime to claim he was a loyal "martyr", killed by members of the "terrorist" Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MKO). His family were asked not to come to Tehran for the funeral and warned not to speak to foreign media. Mokhtari has reportedly been buried without the approval of his parents.

That initiative fell apart, at least on the Internet, as Zhaleh was established as a university student who had supported reformist candidates and joined post-election demonstrations. However, before then, Basij members had invaded a ceremony held at the Tehran University of Fine Arts, where Zhaleh studied, and roughed up students, several of whom were arrested. It was later reported that the university's students will go on strike for a week in protest.

And Zhaleh's funeral was turned into a photo opportunity for the regime's campaign to tear down opposition figures Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and former President Mohammad Khatami.

The regime is staging statements, in Parliament and by officials, to do everything except formally arrest Mousavi and Karroubi. Amidst declarations that they should face the death penalty, both opposition figures remain under effective house arrest, with Mousavi's communications completely cut.

And later in the morning, we noted an interview with the daughters of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard:

Given the current condition, there is much ambiguity regarding their well being. The bodyguards have been pressured to ensure that there is no contact with family members....We are concerned because we have been left completely in the dark. We are unaware of what is going on behind these closed doors and the unimaginable acts being committed against them. We don't know what has happened to Mousavi and Rahnavard. Who is responsible for their protection? We don't even know if our parents are in the house or if they have been moved to another location.

from EA WorldView: EA Iran

Posted via email from lissping