Det svenska smittskyddsinstitutet och Karolinska institutet hjälper ett forskningsinstitut i Iran med forskning kring ett mycket dödligt virus, som kan användas som massförstörelsevapen. Det Iranska forskningsinstitutet (Pasteurinstitutet) misstänks samtidigt av svenska myndigheter för att framställa massförstörelsevapen.
Lars-Hjalmar Wide generaldirektör på Inspektionen för strategiska produkter (IPS) säger så här om det Iranska ”forskningsinstitutet”; "Det här är en samlad bild av uppgifter från en rad olika länder, en rad olika källor som vi väger ihop. Det är få institut vi har så här starka misstankar mot".
Det svenska företaget Getinge fick inte sälja en diskmaskin till institutet eftersom den kunde användas till att framställa massförstörelsevapen. Samtidigt så hjälper smittskyddsinstitutet regimen i Iran att forska kring ett virus som kan användas som massförestörelsevapen.
Birgitta Ohlsson, riksdagsledamot för Folkpartiet, diskuterar detta på Sveriges radio, du kan lyssna på det här.
Vi på den här bloggen har redan redogjort för den svenska regeringens nära och vänskapliga relationer med mullorna i Iran. Men att hjälpa en terrorstat att forska kring ett dödligt virus som kan användas som vapen är fullständigt oacceptabelt.
tisdag, maj 31, 2005
Ganji released
In Iran, dissident journalist Akbar Ganji has been released for an unspecified period after serving five years in prison. He was jailed for six years for insulting the authorities.
Mr Ganji, who is 48, has been released because of ill health. It is unclear whether he will have to return to prison.
Earlier this month another well-known dissident, Abbas Abdi, was also released prematurely.
Mr Ganji, who is 48, has been released because of ill health. It is unclear whether he will have to return to prison.
Earlier this month another well-known dissident, Abbas Abdi, was also released prematurely.
måndag, maj 30, 2005
Diskussion om valet i Iran...
Fredrik Malm och Makan Afshinnejad i Canal 7s studio..
Tisdag 31/5 kommer Fredrik Malm ordförande för Liberala Ungdomsförbundet och Makan Afshinnejad generalsekreterare för Liberala Studenter att diskutera det kommande presidentvalet i Iran i Canal 7.
Programmet sänds klockan 22:00, kanalen hittar du här.
Iran: Everything is the medias fault!
An Iranian television channel has accused foreign media organisations of interfering in the country's forthcoming presidential election, just three days after the official start of the campaign.
In a special programme shown on Saturday, the 24-hour news channel Iranian News Network TV said foreign broadcasters, including Persian-language radio stations based abroad, were attempting to affect the outcome of the poll, scheduled for 17 June, by urging a low turnout.
"The foreign media are resorting to all the tricks in the book," said the programme's presenter. "The policy of creating division and discord is one of their old ploys."
"Iranian News Network TV receives and records pictures from news media all over the world," added a correspondent.
"Their propaganda can be summed up in one sentence - divide and rule."
'Solidarity and unity'
The channel said some overseas broadcasters were seeking to open up divisions in Iranian society by encouraging members of ethnic minorities not to cast their votes.
It then showed a series of interviews with representatives of these groups, who professed to a strong commitment to the electoral process as well as a distrust of external influences.
"The Kurds will definitely take part in the elections as Iranians because they love Islam and their homeland," one Iranian Kurd told the channel.
"The enemies of Iran are afraid and scared of the solidarity and unity of the people of Iran," argued a member of the Azeri community.
And in a live link-up with the studio, two university lecturers urged all Iranians to study the aims of such "foreign propaganda" to make sure they are not deceived.
No immunity
But domestic media have also come in for fierce criticism over their campaign coverage.
Earlier this month, hardline MP Mehdi Kouchakzadeh launched a stinging attack on the Iranian press after one paper published an article which he said misrepresented his conduct in parliament.
"You are a bunch of liars who don't believe in anything and lie for a loaf of bread," the MP told one reporter.
Around 60 journalists gathered outside parliament several days later to protest against his remarks and what they see as a wider crackdown on the media.
The next day, the moderate daily Etemaad published a commentary calling on the Iranian establishment to accept the notion of being criticised in the media.
"In a democratic system, no one and no institution enjoys immunity or a safety margin," it said.
In a special programme shown on Saturday, the 24-hour news channel Iranian News Network TV said foreign broadcasters, including Persian-language radio stations based abroad, were attempting to affect the outcome of the poll, scheduled for 17 June, by urging a low turnout.
"The foreign media are resorting to all the tricks in the book," said the programme's presenter. "The policy of creating division and discord is one of their old ploys."
"Iranian News Network TV receives and records pictures from news media all over the world," added a correspondent.
"Their propaganda can be summed up in one sentence - divide and rule."
'Solidarity and unity'
The channel said some overseas broadcasters were seeking to open up divisions in Iranian society by encouraging members of ethnic minorities not to cast their votes.
It then showed a series of interviews with representatives of these groups, who professed to a strong commitment to the electoral process as well as a distrust of external influences.
"The Kurds will definitely take part in the elections as Iranians because they love Islam and their homeland," one Iranian Kurd told the channel.
"The enemies of Iran are afraid and scared of the solidarity and unity of the people of Iran," argued a member of the Azeri community.
And in a live link-up with the studio, two university lecturers urged all Iranians to study the aims of such "foreign propaganda" to make sure they are not deceived.
No immunity
But domestic media have also come in for fierce criticism over their campaign coverage.
Earlier this month, hardline MP Mehdi Kouchakzadeh launched a stinging attack on the Iranian press after one paper published an article which he said misrepresented his conduct in parliament.
"You are a bunch of liars who don't believe in anything and lie for a loaf of bread," the MP told one reporter.
Around 60 journalists gathered outside parliament several days later to protest against his remarks and what they see as a wider crackdown on the media.
The next day, the moderate daily Etemaad published a commentary calling on the Iranian establishment to accept the notion of being criticised in the media.
"In a democratic system, no one and no institution enjoys immunity or a safety margin," it said.
söndag, maj 29, 2005
A call for Akbar Ganji..
Akbar Ganji is an Iranian journalist who has been spending the longest period in prison for expressing his views, and defending freedom and the professionalism of journalism. He has been accused, and currently imprisoned for over 61 months, for criticizing governmental officials and exposing the chain murders of Iranian intellectuals and politicians, which were ordered by the highest authorities of the Islamic Republic, both in Iran and abroad. During his imprisonment he has published "The Manifest of a Republic" and has invited the people to civil disobedience. This has angered the terrorist governmental authorities, which by monopolizing the Mafia of power have tried to silence him in such a way that even Ganji's legal attorney, Dr. Naser Zarafshan, is now spending time behind bars. In order to protest his unjust and ille gal imprisonment and the fact that he has been denied a sick leave, despite being severely ill from Asthma attacks, Ganji has started a hunger strike since Thursday, May 19th, 2004.
We Iranian journalist and bloggers hereby express our concern for the well being of Akbar Ganji. Iranian judicial authorities have been neglecting Ganji's freedom and treatment. We plead to other human rights organizatio ns to immediately start pressuring the Iranian judicial authorities for his treatment and freedom. We hereby announce, and conclude, that under the current conditions, the responsibility of Akbar Ganji's life is in the hands of international human rights organization and all the freedom-loving people of the world.
Thanks to White Hawk
We Iranian journalist and bloggers hereby express our concern for the well being of Akbar Ganji. Iranian judicial authorities have been neglecting Ganji's freedom and treatment. We plead to other human rights organizatio ns to immediately start pressuring the Iranian judicial authorities for his treatment and freedom. We hereby announce, and conclude, that under the current conditions, the responsibility of Akbar Ganji's life is in the hands of international human rights organization and all the freedom-loving people of the world.
Thanks to White Hawk
lördag, maj 28, 2005
More stupidities from Khamenei…
The “supreme leader” Khamenei told the people that they should elect an “anti-western” president. "This is one of the criteria," Khamenei said. "Americans have started absurdly saying who should run and who should not run in our election." The reason for Khameneis stupid comment was the US criticism of the Guardian Councils decision to ban reform candidates in the upcoming elections.
Condoleezza Rice was one of the few western politicians whom criticized the regime in Teheran, saying that the US would "stand by the Iranian people" in the fight for democracy. Rice also said; "The Middle East is changing and even the unelected leaders in Tehran must recognise this fact".
Khamenei replied by saying that Rice is ignorant and that the Iranian people should do the opposite of what the US say.
Condoleezza Rice was one of the few western politicians whom criticized the regime in Teheran, saying that the US would "stand by the Iranian people" in the fight for democracy. Rice also said; "The Middle East is changing and even the unelected leaders in Tehran must recognise this fact".
Khamenei replied by saying that Rice is ignorant and that the Iranian people should do the opposite of what the US say.
Vote Rafsanjani, and get the atomic bomb.
Hojatolislam Gholam Reza Hasani a representative for the “Supreme Leader”, said that people should vote for the “independent candidate” Rafsanjani. "This way we will finally be able to have for ourselves the atomic bomb to fairly stand up to Israeli weapons," said Hasani.
"Freedom, democracy and stupidities of this type cannot be carried over to any part, and these concepts are out of sync with the principles of Islam," said Hasani, at a Friday prayer.
"Islam always spoke with the sword in the hand and I don't see why now we have changed attitudes and talk with the other civilisations."
"Freedom, democracy and stupidities of this type cannot be carried over to any part, and these concepts are out of sync with the principles of Islam," said Hasani, at a Friday prayer.
"Islam always spoke with the sword in the hand and I don't see why now we have changed attitudes and talk with the other civilisations."
1000 university graduates homeless only in Teheran.
Nearly a thousand homeless people rounded off the streets of Tehran in the past five months had university degrees, according to the head of the social affairs section of the city’s Office of the Mayor.
“948 of these people had university degrees or higher credentials”, Mohammad-Reza Fardin said today, adding that altogether some 61,975 had been rounded off the streets of Tehran’s of which 60,409 were mentally competent.
Fardin said “20,548 of these homeless people were aged between 24 and 33 years, and 25,556 were married”.
“18,217 of these people were drug addicts”, he added.
“948 of these people had university degrees or higher credentials”, Mohammad-Reza Fardin said today, adding that altogether some 61,975 had been rounded off the streets of Tehran’s of which 60,409 were mentally competent.
Fardin said “20,548 of these homeless people were aged between 24 and 33 years, and 25,556 were married”.
“18,217 of these people were drug addicts”, he added.
fredag, maj 27, 2005
Student protests spreads
Hundreds of students residing in the Alame Dorms located in the Pasdaran (former Saltanat-Abad) area staged a protest, yesterday night, in solidarity with their colleagues of Amir-Abad dorms, the wounded students of Shahr e Kord University and against the Islamic republic regime.
Security forces were rushed to the area in order to close all accesses and to monitor any movement from the Zarabkhaneh area.
slogans, such as, '”Boycott of election, duty of each Iranian”, “Moin the incompetent, shame, shame” , "Rafsanjani is powerless, Iran won't become Chile”, "Incompetent reformist, shame, shame”, “damned bee both - by making allusion to regime's both factions”, "Student dies but won't accept submission”, “Student, Worker, Teacher, Unity, Unity”, “Down with Islamic republic”, “Down with repression”, were shouted by students.
Several students and local residents coming to their support were beaten up or arrested.
Reports from the Vali-e-Asr dorms, located in the center of the Capital, are stating also about protest actions despite the heavy security presence. Pictures of the regime's dignitaries have been set on fire and students were heard shouting slogans from the windows.
Security forces were rushed to the area in order to close all accesses and to monitor any movement from the Zarabkhaneh area.
slogans, such as, '”Boycott of election, duty of each Iranian”, “Moin the incompetent, shame, shame” , "Rafsanjani is powerless, Iran won't become Chile”, "Incompetent reformist, shame, shame”, “damned bee both - by making allusion to regime's both factions”, "Student dies but won't accept submission”, “Student, Worker, Teacher, Unity, Unity”, “Down with Islamic republic”, “Down with repression”, were shouted by students.
Several students and local residents coming to their support were beaten up or arrested.
Reports from the Vali-e-Asr dorms, located in the center of the Capital, are stating also about protest actions despite the heavy security presence. Pictures of the regime's dignitaries have been set on fire and students were heard shouting slogans from the windows.
torsdag, maj 26, 2005
Students wounded by militiamen...
Several students of Shahr-e-Kord University have been wounded following the brutal attack of Islamic regime's plainclothes men against their peaceful gathering.
The students were persisting in their hunger strike which has started end of last week.
Security forces had closed the perimeters before the start of attack by security agents.
The students were persisting in their hunger strike which has started end of last week.
Security forces had closed the perimeters before the start of attack by security agents.
Why Iran's Mullahs Are Feeling Lucky
Domestically, Khameini appears to realize that the challenge of the reform movement headed by current President Mohmammed Khatami has long since run out of steam. Foiled at every turn by the overriding authority of conservative clerics within the state but unable or unwilling to mount a people-power challenge to clerical authority, Khatami's movement has lost much of its ability to convince Iran's voters of its ability to secure change. Khameini appears to see little to fear — and much to gain — in allowing the lead reformist candidate Moein to run for president.
Reformers thwarted
With the reformists sidelined, the more important political cleavage now is between hardliners and pragmatists within conservative ranks. Khameini is said to disapprove of the policies of leading pragmatist candidate Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former speaker of parliament who might have drawn "lesser-evil" backing from reformist voters if they lacked a candidate of their own. Allowing the reformists to run potentially splits Rafsanjani's vote, improving the chances of hard-liners. Even if the reformers win, the Khatami years have proven that the clerical bodies controlled by the conservatives trump the power of the presidency. The Supreme Leader is also concerned to maintain a modicum of popular consent for Iran's institutions.
Read the whole article here.
Reformers thwarted
With the reformists sidelined, the more important political cleavage now is between hardliners and pragmatists within conservative ranks. Khameini is said to disapprove of the policies of leading pragmatist candidate Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former speaker of parliament who might have drawn "lesser-evil" backing from reformist voters if they lacked a candidate of their own. Allowing the reformists to run potentially splits Rafsanjani's vote, improving the chances of hard-liners. Even if the reformers win, the Khatami years have proven that the clerical bodies controlled by the conservatives trump the power of the presidency. The Supreme Leader is also concerned to maintain a modicum of popular consent for Iran's institutions.
Read the whole article here.
onsdag, maj 25, 2005
Russia supporting Hezbollah?
The site axisglobe.comis doing an exclusive about the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which is supported by the Iranian regime and its ties with the Russian president Putin.
“This was Putin`s revival of the traditional Soviet policy. During the USSR era its leadership used to divide the international terrorists into categories; "freedom fighters" and "radical elements". The first served Moscow's geopolitical interests and received its support. The others, acting against the USSR, or declining to accept its sponsorship, were labeled "terrorists". Today Moscow's policies and methods are identical. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah stands out among those who benefit from the Kremlin's support.”
And
“Putin`s declarations about "Russia's uncompromising battle against international terrorism" are taking place simultaneously with the contacts of the Russian Ministry of foreign Affairs with the leaders of Hezbollah. Their emissaries in Russia recruit potential suicide bombers without restraint or opposition on behalf of the local authorities. They purchase arms in the areas of the ex-USSR, which are now under Russian control. Russian ex-military experts train militants of Hezbollah before they infiltrate Iraq.”
Read more here..
“This was Putin`s revival of the traditional Soviet policy. During the USSR era its leadership used to divide the international terrorists into categories; "freedom fighters" and "radical elements". The first served Moscow's geopolitical interests and received its support. The others, acting against the USSR, or declining to accept its sponsorship, were labeled "terrorists". Today Moscow's policies and methods are identical. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah stands out among those who benefit from the Kremlin's support.”
And
“Putin`s declarations about "Russia's uncompromising battle against international terrorism" are taking place simultaneously with the contacts of the Russian Ministry of foreign Affairs with the leaders of Hezbollah. Their emissaries in Russia recruit potential suicide bombers without restraint or opposition on behalf of the local authorities. They purchase arms in the areas of the ex-USSR, which are now under Russian control. Russian ex-military experts train militants of Hezbollah before they infiltrate Iraq.”
Read more here..
tisdag, maj 24, 2005
Like a bad joke..
Today the Guardian Council approved the reform camps two strongest candidates, Moin and Mehralizadeh. The Council changed its mind after the “supreme leader” Khamenei who sent a letter to the council saying that it should approve Moin and Mehralizadeh.
The head of the Guardian Council, Ahmad Jannati wrote; "As you consider it desirable that all people in the country from different interests have the opportunity to take part (in presidential election), the competence of Mr Moin and Mr Mehralizadeh by the GC is recognized."
It seems like the second theory was correct, the “supreme leader” Khamenei was aware and approved the Councils decision to reject Moins candidacy from the beginning. So that he the same day could write a letter asking the council to approve Moin. The day after the council grants Khameneis wishes.
This way Khamenei thinks he can gain popularity among the youth, by being the man who saves the reform camp. He also shows his muscles, making any upcoming president aware of who is really in charge of the country. And if Moin or Mehralizadeh win they will be in gratitude to him.
Khamenei also hopes that the two reform candidates will split the young vote outmaneuvering Rafsanjani who needs the young vote to win and clearing the path for one of the conservatives close to him. And this way Khamenei also can stop the student demonstrations and also increase the voter turnout, and this way ducking national and international criticism.
The head of the Guardian Council, Ahmad Jannati wrote; "As you consider it desirable that all people in the country from different interests have the opportunity to take part (in presidential election), the competence of Mr Moin and Mr Mehralizadeh by the GC is recognized."
It seems like the second theory was correct, the “supreme leader” Khamenei was aware and approved the Councils decision to reject Moins candidacy from the beginning. So that he the same day could write a letter asking the council to approve Moin. The day after the council grants Khameneis wishes.
This way Khamenei thinks he can gain popularity among the youth, by being the man who saves the reform camp. He also shows his muscles, making any upcoming president aware of who is really in charge of the country. And if Moin or Mehralizadeh win they will be in gratitude to him.
Khamenei also hopes that the two reform candidates will split the young vote outmaneuvering Rafsanjani who needs the young vote to win and clearing the path for one of the conservatives close to him. And this way Khamenei also can stop the student demonstrations and also increase the voter turnout, and this way ducking national and international criticism.
”Down with dictatorship, down with tyranny”
Hundreds of students gathered around Tehran University and protested against as they said: “an upcoming sham presidential election”. The students chanted; “down with dictatorship, down with tyranny” and “referendum, referendum, this is what the people demand”.
The regime Security forces have been called to the area around the university, and the main roads have been blocked so that no one else can join the protesters. The interior minister has so far ordered the security forces not to confront the students.
The students have announced that further protest will be held tomorrow at 09:00 am local Tehran time at Sharif University.
You can help the students; spreads the news on you’re bloggs and make people aware of the protests. Raising the awareness about the protests will make it harder for the regime to silence it.
The regime Security forces have been called to the area around the university, and the main roads have been blocked so that no one else can join the protesters. The interior minister has so far ordered the security forces not to confront the students.
The students have announced that further protest will be held tomorrow at 09:00 am local Tehran time at Sharif University.
You can help the students; spreads the news on you’re bloggs and make people aware of the protests. Raising the awareness about the protests will make it harder for the regime to silence it.
måndag, maj 23, 2005
Khamenei is losing control or just cleaver?
Of 1010 registered candidates the “Guardian Council” only approved six for the presidential elections. All the candidates in the reform camp were banned from running in the elections. The news has been criticized from the reform camp who has threatened to boycott the elections. During last years parliamentary elections over 2 000 reformists were barred from the elections which lead to a record low voter turnout.
The candidates which the Guardian Council approved were the former president Rafsanjani, the former police chief Mohammad Ghalibaf, former radio and television chief Ali Larijani, Teheran Mayo Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former head of the revolutionary guards Mohsen Rezai and the former parliamentary speaker Mahdi Karroubi.
The council is appointed and has close ties to the “supreme leader” Khamenei. The council also barred women from running in the elections.
The former culture minister Mostafa Moin was the reform camps strongest candidate and the only candidate of Iran’s largest reform party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF). Moin said today that he had nothing to say to the Guardian Council and that he would take his case directly to the people, saying that the people should measure the councils act as a coup or not.
Barring Moin from the elections would mean a lower voter turnout among the young people of Iran, where the conservatives have little support; around 70 % of the Iranian people are under the age of 30.
Moin was also the only candidate who wanted to continue the suspension of all uranium enrichment activities by Iran and to reach a political compromise with the EU.
Two theories
One theory could is that the “supreme Leader” Khamenei seems to be loosing his total control over the conservative camp. He has failed to gather the conservatives around his favourite candidate Larijani, and he now seems to be afraid of the ramifications of the guardian council’s decision to reject Moins candidacy. Today Khamenei wrote a letter to the Guardian Council urging the council to reconsider Moins candidacy, and allow him to run in the elections.
If Moin is not approved by the council and the IIPF decides to boycott the elections the voter turnout will probably be very low. A fact that seems to scare Khamenei, but not the Guardian Council who are willing to risk a low voter turnout, international and national criticism of unfair and illegitimate elections for the purpose of weakening the reform camp.
Another theory is that Khameneis move was an elaborated one. By acting as he was unaware of the Guardian Councils move to stop Moins candidacy he is clearing himself from all responsibility and can move on looking like the good guy. The Guardian Council who is appointed by Khamenei and close to him would probably never approve or disapprove a huge candidate as Moin without the “supreme leaders” knowledge and approval.
This way Khamenei gets what he wants, a chance to gain total control of Iran by increasing his favourite candidate’s chance of winning the elections, and also severely damaging the reformist camp. And during this process Khamenei will come out looking like the good guy who did his best for convincing the Guardian Council to approve Moin as a candidate and save the reform camp.
The candidates which the Guardian Council approved were the former president Rafsanjani, the former police chief Mohammad Ghalibaf, former radio and television chief Ali Larijani, Teheran Mayo Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former head of the revolutionary guards Mohsen Rezai and the former parliamentary speaker Mahdi Karroubi.
The council is appointed and has close ties to the “supreme leader” Khamenei. The council also barred women from running in the elections.
The former culture minister Mostafa Moin was the reform camps strongest candidate and the only candidate of Iran’s largest reform party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF). Moin said today that he had nothing to say to the Guardian Council and that he would take his case directly to the people, saying that the people should measure the councils act as a coup or not.
Barring Moin from the elections would mean a lower voter turnout among the young people of Iran, where the conservatives have little support; around 70 % of the Iranian people are under the age of 30.
Moin was also the only candidate who wanted to continue the suspension of all uranium enrichment activities by Iran and to reach a political compromise with the EU.
Two theories
One theory could is that the “supreme Leader” Khamenei seems to be loosing his total control over the conservative camp. He has failed to gather the conservatives around his favourite candidate Larijani, and he now seems to be afraid of the ramifications of the guardian council’s decision to reject Moins candidacy. Today Khamenei wrote a letter to the Guardian Council urging the council to reconsider Moins candidacy, and allow him to run in the elections.
If Moin is not approved by the council and the IIPF decides to boycott the elections the voter turnout will probably be very low. A fact that seems to scare Khamenei, but not the Guardian Council who are willing to risk a low voter turnout, international and national criticism of unfair and illegitimate elections for the purpose of weakening the reform camp.
Another theory is that Khameneis move was an elaborated one. By acting as he was unaware of the Guardian Councils move to stop Moins candidacy he is clearing himself from all responsibility and can move on looking like the good guy. The Guardian Council who is appointed by Khamenei and close to him would probably never approve or disapprove a huge candidate as Moin without the “supreme leaders” knowledge and approval.
This way Khamenei gets what he wants, a chance to gain total control of Iran by increasing his favourite candidate’s chance of winning the elections, and also severely damaging the reformist camp. And during this process Khamenei will come out looking like the good guy who did his best for convincing the Guardian Council to approve Moin as a candidate and save the reform camp.
The regime wants to reconsider its ties with Canada
Some senior members of the conservative ruled parliament urged the country to review its diplomatic and commercial ties with Canada. Canada has already frozen its bilateral ties with Iran in protest against the regimes refusal to investigate the death of Zahra Kazemi. Zahra Kazemi was arrested while taking photographs of mourning mothers outside the notorious Evin prison, where most of the Iranian dissidents are held. Zahra Kazemi was beaten to death during the interrogations in July 2003.
The parliaments National Security and Foreign policy committee said that the Iranian foreign ministry should reconsider the level of ties with Canada. In a statement the committee said;
"Canada... is shedding crocodile tears for the death of Zahra Kazemi, which has been condemned by the Iranian government, with the judiciary firmly following up the case."
But the Iranian government first said that Kazemi died of a stroke, then admitted that she had been beaten and finally said that the photographer had just fainted and hit her head. Kazemis family in Canada has tried to get her body taken home to Canada, but the Iranian government denied the request and quickly buried her. Last year the Teheran judiciary acquitted a intelligence officer who was accused of her murder. Kazemis lawyers have appealed the verdict and demands a new investigation.
The parliament committee also brought up the case of Keyvan Tabesh who was killed by Canadian police after attacking the police with a machete. But the committee demanded that the foreign ministry should "seriously follow up the case relating to the murder of Tabesh, who was unjustly killed by Canadian police".
The parliaments National Security and Foreign policy committee said that the Iranian foreign ministry should reconsider the level of ties with Canada. In a statement the committee said;
"Canada... is shedding crocodile tears for the death of Zahra Kazemi, which has been condemned by the Iranian government, with the judiciary firmly following up the case."
But the Iranian government first said that Kazemi died of a stroke, then admitted that she had been beaten and finally said that the photographer had just fainted and hit her head. Kazemis family in Canada has tried to get her body taken home to Canada, but the Iranian government denied the request and quickly buried her. Last year the Teheran judiciary acquitted a intelligence officer who was accused of her murder. Kazemis lawyers have appealed the verdict and demands a new investigation.
The parliament committee also brought up the case of Keyvan Tabesh who was killed by Canadian police after attacking the police with a machete. But the committee demanded that the foreign ministry should "seriously follow up the case relating to the murder of Tabesh, who was unjustly killed by Canadian police".
Akbar Ganji; No one should be imprisoned for expressing an opinion..
The journalist Akbar Ganji has announced that he is going on a hunger strike to protest against his imprisonment. Reporters without borders have previously reported that the journalist health has deteriorated considerably in prison; the organization has also demanded his unconditional release.
In a statement Ganji said; "I protest against my illegal and unjust imprisonment, all the more so because I cannot even pursue my treatment outside Evin prison. I am beginning an unlimited hunger strike this evening. No one should be imprisoned - not even for a second - for expressing an opinion."
Akbar Ganji is seriously ill after spending five years in prison for reporting about the former president and now president candidate Rafsanjanis part in murders of journalists and intellectuals during 1998. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
For more on Akbar Ganji read here here(swedish).
In a statement Ganji said; "I protest against my illegal and unjust imprisonment, all the more so because I cannot even pursue my treatment outside Evin prison. I am beginning an unlimited hunger strike this evening. No one should be imprisoned - not even for a second - for expressing an opinion."
Akbar Ganji is seriously ill after spending five years in prison for reporting about the former president and now president candidate Rafsanjanis part in murders of journalists and intellectuals during 1998. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
For more on Akbar Ganji read here here(swedish).
Journalists threaten to boycott news from the parliament...
The relationship between journalist and the conservative members of the parliament is at best hostile. The situation deteriorated when a influent member of the parliament Mehdi Kouchekzadeh attacked a journalist of the independent paper “Sharq” and accused him for spreading lies about him.
Kouchekzadeh grabbed the journalist by the chin dragging him in the corridor and at the same time insulting him in the open. Kouchekzadeh is also a member of the “parliament’s human rights committee”.
In March another journalist of the reform paper “Hambastegi” was banned from the parlament, and so was the newspaper. After the journalist had reported on the benefits the parliamentarians had granted themselves. This report choked people as the “new” conservative majority has promised to live humble and stop the corruption. The journalist was barred for “lack of politeness and decency”.
Journalists in Iran are now threatening to boycott all news from the parliament if the prosecutions of journalists are not stopped by the parliamentarians. Reporters without boarders have described Iran as the biggest prison for journalists in the Middle East.
Kouchekzadeh grabbed the journalist by the chin dragging him in the corridor and at the same time insulting him in the open. Kouchekzadeh is also a member of the “parliament’s human rights committee”.
In March another journalist of the reform paper “Hambastegi” was banned from the parlament, and so was the newspaper. After the journalist had reported on the benefits the parliamentarians had granted themselves. This report choked people as the “new” conservative majority has promised to live humble and stop the corruption. The journalist was barred for “lack of politeness and decency”.
Journalists in Iran are now threatening to boycott all news from the parliament if the prosecutions of journalists are not stopped by the parliamentarians. Reporters without boarders have described Iran as the biggest prison for journalists in the Middle East.
söndag, maj 22, 2005
Some Rumors.....
In a couple of days the Guardian Council officially announces the candidates eligible for the elections. Rumors say that the leading “reform” candidate Mostafa Moeen has been disqualified and is not allowed to run for the presidency. This could mean the end of the “reform camp”, with no candidate in the elections and no obvious leader, the road is cleared for the conservatives to yet again dominate the country. This also means that the Teheran regime has given up the idea of pretending that elections are fair and legitimate.
The elections will now most probably stand between three candidates, Rafsanjani, Larijani and Ghalibaf. All three belonging to the “conservative” camp with close ties to the “supreme leader” Ali Khamenei, even if Rafsanjani is running as an independent.
The elections will now most probably stand between three candidates, Rafsanjani, Larijani and Ghalibaf. All three belonging to the “conservative” camp with close ties to the “supreme leader” Ali Khamenei, even if Rafsanjani is running as an independent.
fredag, maj 20, 2005
Iran introduce fake IKEA!
The news in Sweden had a short notice about the fake IKEA stores who have been established in Iran. Another embarrassing act from the rotten regime in Tehran.
Something that´s very surprising is the fake stores instead of the real ones that was established in Iran, it shouldn´t be so hard to sign another profitable contract with the terrorist regime from the Swedish side, this time with IKEA, considering the excellent ties the countries have with each other.....
Something that´s very surprising is the fake stores instead of the real ones that was established in Iran, it shouldn´t be so hard to sign another profitable contract with the terrorist regime from the Swedish side, this time with IKEA, considering the excellent ties the countries have with each other.....
torsdag, maj 19, 2005
Canada freezes its diplomatic relations with Iran...
Canada has frozen its bilateral ties with Iran, in protest against the regimes refusal to investigate the death of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian citizen. Zahra Kazemi was arrested while taking photographs of mourning mothers outside the notorious Evin prison, where most of the Iranian dissidents are held. Zahra Kazemi was beaten to death during the interrogations in July 2003.
The Canadian foreign minister Pirre Pettigrew said: “Effective immediately...we will limit our encounters with Iranian officials to the Kazemi case, Iran’s human rights record and Iran’s nuclear non-proliferation performance“.
He also said: “This state of relations will persist until Iran has taken steps to launch a credible and independent investigation and judicial process into the Kazemi case“.
Canada has already withdrawn its ambassador from Iran because of the regimes refusal to investigate Zahra Kazemis death. But the Canadian ambassador will this time remain in Iran for the time being.
The Iranian Governments official explanation is that Kazemi died after fainting and hitting her head on the floor. A former Iranian interrogator, now in exile, has said that Kazemi was beaten to death after defending herself when the interrogators tried to rape her.
The Canadian foreign minister Pirre Pettigrew said: “Effective immediately...we will limit our encounters with Iranian officials to the Kazemi case, Iran’s human rights record and Iran’s nuclear non-proliferation performance“.
He also said: “This state of relations will persist until Iran has taken steps to launch a credible and independent investigation and judicial process into the Kazemi case“.
Canada has already withdrawn its ambassador from Iran because of the regimes refusal to investigate Zahra Kazemis death. But the Canadian ambassador will this time remain in Iran for the time being.
The Iranian Governments official explanation is that Kazemi died after fainting and hitting her head on the floor. A former Iranian interrogator, now in exile, has said that Kazemi was beaten to death after defending herself when the interrogators tried to rape her.
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