Selected Headlines

Mashai buys actress' artwork

Khabar Online │ Dec. 16, 2009

Esfandiar Mashai, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's gaffe-prone chief of staff, reportedly bought the most expensive artwork at popular actress Hedieh Tehrani's photography exhibition, for $3,700.

The piece appears to be Mashai's first art purchase from Ms. Tehrani.

The news was heard from exhibition organizers and has not been independently verified.

Ms. Tehrani, in a press conference she called to promote her exhibition, said that the Cultural Heritage Organization, which was headed by Mashai until this past summer - granted her a loan of $80,000 to stage the exhibition.

Pourandarjani's father: No one dares tell the truth

Rooz │ Dec. 16, 2009

After member of the Majlis truth-finding committee Farhad Tajari stated that the case of the Kahrizak doctor's death does not warrant an investigation by parliament, Ramin Pourandarjani's father criticized the inconsistency in words and actions of authorities in his son's case.

Speaking to Rooz Online, Pourandarjani's father, Reza-Qoli, said that his son had not committed suicide but that "no one dares to speak up and tell the truth."

Tajari had claimed on Dec. 15 that "we believe the cause of death of the Kahrizak doctor to be clear and there is no need for an investigation," adding that Ramin Pourandarjani "was known to use pills and likely died of an overdose."

In response to Tajari's remarks, Reza-Qoli Pourandarjani said, "First they claimed my son had a heart attack and later they said it was suicide, and after that they said it was an overdose. They have not given us a clear answer to date."

"We have filed a suit in Tehran and demanded that his murder be investigated. The case has been opened at the criminal court but no one has done anything about it," he added.

Reza-Qoli Pourandarjani objected to the use of the title "Kahrizak doctor" to refer to his son, saying, "My son was serving his [mandatory] military service. He was not a police officer or a Kahrizak employee, so please do not use this title to refer to him."

When asked how he planned to follow up on his son's murder case, Pourandarjani said, "What can we do when no one will answer us? If they wanted to investigate and give us an answer they would have done so by now."

Pourandarjani's mother told Rooz Online that it was unlikely her son had committed suicide, adding, "No one dares to speak up and tell the truth about what really happened, when everybody knows that my son has not committed suicide."

While Tajjari said that Pourandarjani's death requires no investigation, parliamentarian Ali Motahari said that the truth-finding committee had concluded investigations into the cause of death of the Kahrizak doctor and was ready to present its report to Majlis. The report has yet to be released.

Meanwhile, according to other reports, the head of NAJA (Iranian police force) infirmary has appeared before the Majlis Health Commission and offered an explanation about the young doctor's death. His testimony has not been made public either.

Tajjari's remarks also contradict that of Reformist lawmaker Maousd Pezeshkian who has repeatedly ruled out suicide and heart attack as possible causes of death and demanded that the coroner announce the real cause of death as soon as possible.

Ramin Pourandarjanihad examined Mohsen Rouholamini and a number of other Kahrizak detainees before their deaths. Ramin's friends also told Rooz Online that he had told them he "feared for his life" before his death.

Mowjcamp had reported that Pourandarjani had testified before the Majlis truth-finding committee regarding Mohsen Rouholamini's death and stated the cause of death as torture in prison.

Mousavis visit Abtahi in Tehran

Asr Iran │ Dec.17

Mir Hossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard visited former vice-president Mohammad-Ali Abtahi at his home.

According to Asr Iran, Mousavi visited Abtahi, who was recently released from Evin Prison on bail, to discuss recent developments in the country.

The meeting is notable because during the June presidential election, Abtahi refused to endorse Mousavi. Abtahi backed another Reformist candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, reportedly out of disapproval of Mousavi.

Beheshti: Mr. Prosecutor bring me justice

Khabar Online │ Dec.17

After the deputy representative of the Supreme Leader in the IRGC Mojtaba Zolnour attacked Alireza Beheshti and other Reformist figures, Beheshti urged the Tehran Prosecutor to administer justice.

Zolnour had accused Alireza Beheshti, the son of Islamic Republic veteran Mohammad Beheshti, of mafia-like activities to smuggle those connected to the Mousavi campaign who were reported among the post-election casualties out of the country.

In his note Beheshti wrote, "I doubt that those who so easily fabricate [such] lies believe in Judgment Day, else I would have warned them against punishment on that day .... This time, as before, I will lodge my complaint with the Judiciary system and ask the Tehran prosecutor, who is himself a respected veteran of the [Iraq-Iran] war to administer justice."

Qom Uni. Arguments cancel Green Iran summit

Rahe Sabz │ Dec. 15

The screening of the documentary "Green Iran" Tuesday at Shahid Beheshti amphitheater in the city of Qom turned violent, causing the session to be postponed and later canceled.

The film's director was to deliver a speech in Qom University on Tuesday when pro-government students began to object, leading to the postponement of the program from 12pm to 1 pm.

Moments after 1:30 pm, supporters of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mir Hossein Mousavi
began insulting one another. The pro-green students had covered their faces with green masks and carried Imam Khomeini posters with green backgrounds.

The dispute escalated to the point that female students took the film out of the public relation's cameraman's camera.

While these events led to the cancellation of the summit, students continued to engage in heated disputes.

Grand Ayatollah Ardebili: Iran's situation bad

Tabnak │ Dec. 16, 2009

Grand Ayatollah Mousavi-Ardebili warned that Iran is in a "dire situation" and stressed that Shia marjas, or sources of emulation, are not indifferent to the country's state of affairs.

"All sides agree that the current state of the country is not good. What is disputed, however, is the source of and solution to these problems," Mousavi-Ardebili said.

"Clearly, the transparency in faith that was once common is fading away and perhaps this is the origin of today's problems."

"The people should not think that the marjas [Shia sources of emulation] are indifferent to this situation and are not doing anything," he added. "Every one of them has done what they could ... and their efforts have not been fruitless, although the public may not be aware of the details of these efforts."

"Of course this does not mean that things are fine. In order for calm to be restored to the country, there is need for more effort by those involved and influential in the issue."

"What must be taken into account is that this dispute is inside the family of the revolution and no side wants to damage the revolution or see its disintegration. Care must be taken to ensure the people are made content and the revolution and Islamic establishment are left intact," Mousavi-Ardibili said.

Greens not to join Friday demo

Rooz │ Dec. 17, 2009

After Tehran governor Morteza Tamadon told Reformist parties seeking to stage a demonstration in protest to the desecration of an Imam Khomeini poster on Dec. 7, to instead join the rally organized by the Islamic Propagation Coordination Council, Reformists said they would not join the gathering.

Pro-government demonstrators are due to march after Friday Prayers on Dec. 18.

An informed source told Rooz that, "Supporters of the opposition Green Movement have requested a permit for an independent rally."

The unnamed member of one of the well-known Reformist parties said, "Reformists and Green supporters should not join the demonstration organized by pro-government forces .. because this will allow them to twist the truth and claim that all those taking part in the march are government supporters. The green movement can show its power in bringing people out in a separate demonstration."

Other green movement supporters such as Mohsen Makhmalbaf and Mohsen Sazegara, who live abroad, have urged the greens to not participate in the Friday rally.

The Militant Clerics Association had earlier submitted its request for a rally permit to the Interior Ministry and the Governor's office.

Mehdi Karroubi had also requested a permit for a demonstration. The Tehran governor, however, cold-shouldered the request on Wednesday, saying, "It is better for the different groups who claim to be the followers of Imam Khomeini to participate in Friday's demonstration along with the rest of the nation and show their loyalty to the Imam
this way."

Political prisoners re-transferred to Section 209

Gooya │ Dec. 17

A number of political prisoners, who had been transferred to the ordinary wards of Evin prison, have reportedly been returned to the detention center's maximum-security Section 209 for unknown reasons.

According to sources inside the prison, Kobra Zaghedoust was transferred from the women's general ward to Section 209, which is controlled by the Intelligence Ministry, on Wednesday. Zaghedoust was detained during the rallies marking the 40th anniversary of the victims of post-election protests at Behesht Zahra cemetery.

No information is available on her condition.

Bahman Amouei was transferred to Section 209 from Section 350 on Wednesday but was returned to Section 305 again on Thursday afternoon. Informed sources said that he had not been interrogated.

Earlier, Hamzeh Karami was transferred to Section 209 in a similar move.

A number of prisoners claim that the high number of Students Day detainees has caused Section 209 to become overcrowded.

The transfer of political prisoners to Section 209 comes at a time when many of them have appeared before court and stood trial. The move has caused concern among the families of these prisoners, who fear that the intelligence ministry might be fabricating evidence against their loved ones.

Shariatmadari disciple to become Mashai deputy

Asr Iran │ Dec. 17, 2009

The news of Mohammad-Jafar Behdad's imminent appointment as Esfandiar Mashai's political deputy took political analysts by surprise.

Behdad, who had come to be known as Keyhan editor Hossein Shariatmadari's disciple, has now been tapped as the deputy of the one person Shariatmadari is extremely critical of.

This is while an IRNA reporter had earlier claimed that due to writing pro-Mashaei editorials, Behdad had been forced to leave the news agency.

Iran executes alleged juvenile offender

Amnesty International │ Dec. 17, 2009

Amnesty International has condemned the execution of an alleged juvenile offender in Iran on Thursday, at least the fifth such execution in 2009.

Mosleh Zamani was hanged at Dizel Abad Prison at 4am, along with four other unidentified prisoners.

He was sentenced to death in 2006 for allegedly raping his girlfriend when he was 17.

Mosleh Zamani's death brings the number of alleged juvenile offenders executed in Iran since 1990 to at least 46.

Amnesty International was told that 200 people demonstrated outside the prison on Wednesday in protest at the executions.

Video: Majid Tavakoli's speech in high-resolution

Petraeus: The UAE's Air Force could take out Iran's

FP │ Dec. 17, 2009

In a previously unreported comment, U.S. Centcom commander Gen. David Petraeus said last week that the United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf, has the capability to overpower Iran's Air Force.

"The Emirati Air Force itself could take out the entire Iranian Air Force, I believe, given that it's got ... somewhere around 70 Block 60 F-16 fighters, which are better than the U.S. F-16 fighters," Petraeus said during remarks at a recent conference put on in Bahrain by the International Institute for Strategic Studies last week.

Clip of the Day: Defector gives an alleged account of Basij election tampering