Filed under: Asia, Middle East | Tags: Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, aqazadeh, Azad, Azadi, Basij, Green Revolution, Iran, Iran Elections, Iranian Elections 2009, Iranian Revolution, Islamic Republic, Khodi, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mir Hussein Mousavi, Mohamed Khatami, Nationalism, Revolutionary Guards
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25 June – 1 July 2009
Issue No. 953
Source: Al-Ahram Weekly Online
Western coverage of the political turmoil in Iran in the aftermath of the 12 June presidential election has for the most part presented a uniform image of the conflict: thousands of young, liberal, and defiant supporters of presidential challenger Mir-Hussein Mousavi have been protesting against what they see as massive fraud, a “coup” to re-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The government, fearful of a popular uprising, has responded with massive use of force, killing and injuring protesters, arresting activists and politicians, and imposing an information blockade.
Analysts repeatedly ask themselves and others, “Is this a revolution?” And, more expectantly, “Are we witnessing the end of the Islamic Republic?” Whatever we are to make of the question of fraud (there apparently were some irregularities, but no evidence of widespread fraud), Ahmadinejad retains a huge popular base that is not prepared to forfeit its position. Rather than viewing the events of the past 12 days as signs of a revolution-in-the-making, we should be (more…)
Filed under: Asia, Middle East | Tags: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Azerbaijan, Azeri, Dictatorship, Electoral Fraud, Expediency Council, Green Campaign, Hamedan, Iran, Iran Accountability Act, Iran Election 2009, Iranian Elections 2009, Iranian Interior Ministry, Iranian People, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Iranians, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hussein Musavi, Mohsen Rezaei, Orumieh, Pesident Obama, Protests, Rasht, shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran University Massacre
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16 June 2009
Source: The Bullet
Since the June 12 elections declaring incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner, large scale violence not seen for a decade has erupted in cities throughout Iran. Running against former Prime Minister and opposition candidate Mir Hussein Musavi, news of Ahmadinejad’s election victory from the Interior Ministry came less than an hour of the closing of the polls with astonishing statistics. With the massive turnout of around 85% of Iran’s 46 million eligible voters, Iranian election officials credited Ahmadinejad with a 62.6% victory, and announced Musavi’s defeat with a mere 33.8% of the total votes cast. In response to the outrageous figures, the opposition leader has since Friday night been accusing both Ahmadinejad and the Interior Ministry of having cheated in the election and voting process.
Calling the election results a “dangerous charade,” Musavi also submitted an official formal request to the Guardian Council on June 14 to protest against the results. While victory for Ahmadinejad was not (more…)
