Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi met with each other this morning and discussed the important issues of the day. In this meeting… Mousavi and Karroubi by signing a joint letter addressed to the Governor of Tehran and according to the Article 27 of constitution asked for permission to hold demonstration on June 12th, the anniversary of the tenth presidential election. Article 27 of constitution says that all demonstrations are allowed unless there are weapons carried in them and they are against the principles of Islam.

Mousavi and Karoubi meet in Tehran.

…With his Nowruz message, the former prime minister sought to prove that he finally has a grip on the situation — that by spreading the word to the middle and working classes, the movement will return to its rightful path, revitalize its image as a civil, nonviolent campaign, and eventually revive the constitutional right to free elections. But the reception has been poor. Mousavi failed to strike a chord with those whom he would claim as supporters. “All he does is talk, talk, talk,” Naqi said. “We want action. We need a man who can walk the walk and not just talk the talk, and barely at that.”

A gesture that could help the struggling Mousavi, the defeated presidential candidate, transform into an inspiring leader capable of bringing about change is standing up to the ayatollah-in-charge. Only such a move can rejuvenate the waning opposition, garner the support needed for more effective acts of noviolent protest — such as the nationwide strikes that crippled the Shah — and prove to freedom-seeking Iranians that he means business.

It is time for Mousavi to realize that as long as he plays the game according to the rules set by the Islamic Republic, he cannot win. No one will. Go to Tehran Bureau.

GVF — Mir-Hossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard have visited the family of imprisoned journalist Mahdi Mahmoudian who exposed the appalling abuses committed at Kahrizak prison following the June 2009 presidential election. Go to original article.

Members of Isfahan branch of Institution of Intellectuals, part of the national Student Alumni community, met with Abdollah Momeni, their recently released spokesperson. This was coincident with Mousavi, and Rahnavrd’s visit to Momeni’s house. Go to Khordad 88.

GVF — “Spring is unstoppable, the arrival of spring is inevitable” said Mir-Hossein Mousavi, during a meeting with the spokesperson of an important student association and its members. Go to original article.

Iran’s opposition leader renewed his campaign for resistance on Thursday in a meeting with sympathetic politicians. Go to NY Times.

Reformist delegates of the Islamic Revolution Mujahedin from the 6th Parliament visited Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi. Go to Khordad 88.

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Free Iran:  Based on the quotes below from the Economist, does this mean that the Green movement is now being held back by Mousavi & even Karroubi – people who want to work within the confides of the Islamic’s republic’s repressive, bankrupt and failed constitution – and people who believe that Khomeini was somehow a democrat and a humanitarian?  Up to now, one could have given these gentlemen the benefit of the doubt – despite their history and in the belief that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.  But going forward, such reasoning and deference to these gentlemen becomes increasingly more difficult.

Given these difficulties and as this site has repeatedly argued in the past, for the Iranian people to become free, the US needs to help cut off the regime’s oil income. Without its oil income, the regime will be nothing but a paper tiger. The US needs to start with unilateral sanctions against the insurance and shipping companies that help the regime sell Iran’s oil. It’s the oil income, stupid! (For those that may not be aware, “It’s the oil income, stupid!” is a play on Bill Clinton’s 1992 comment that “It’s the economy, stupid.”  I don’t mean disrespect to anyone.)

From the Economist:

…Mr Bakiyev made two decisive mistakes. First, he had almost all the country’s opposition leaders arrested by the morning of April 7th, which left the protesting crowds without any sense of direction or moderating influence. The leaders were almost all released later in the day but by then it was too late. Second, he miscalculated by using brutal force to hang on to power, which ultimately made it impossible for him to stay. The police were also clearly outnumbered by protesters.  Free Iran:  Not sure about either arguments and especially the second one.  The regime in Tehran is a lot more competent about using force than the government of  Kyrgyzstan.

…But the abrupt change in Kyrgyzstan is also being closely watched in the rest of Central Asia. This was the second time that as few as 5,000 demonstrators succeeded in overthrowing an unwanted government in Kyrgyzstan—an example that the no-less authoritarian neighbours fear could be emulated elsewhere. For the Kyrgyz people, though, it is an opportunity to get things right the second time around.

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard visited Feizollah Arab- Sorkhi, the senior member of Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution who was arrested days after the rigged election, on the second day of his temporary released from prison. According to Kaleme Mir Hossein Mousavi in this meeting while praising Arab-Sorkhi’s resistance during the 9-month imprisonment congratulated him for his release.

Mir Hossein Mousavi in this visit emphasized: “With the help of almighty God, the wisdom and insight of the forces in Green movement resulted in the gradual but effective progress of this wave in all aspects from the very beginning to this day.”

Mir Hossein Mousavi added: “The peaceful movement that was initiated from within the people does not take the path of justice unless with serenity.” Mousavi reiterated: “Our victory today is due to this very serenity and wisdom.”

Dr. Zahra Rahnavard in this meeting by pointing out the horrible situation of the female political prisoners expressed deep concerns over the report about the critical condition of Badolsadat Mofidi, the head of the journalist union, in prison.

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Source:Parlemannews

Mir Hossein Mousavi, the prime minister during the holy defense [in the war], viewed the perspective that recognizes only one school of thought and one party and denies the collective wisdom as the main cause behind the events following the elections. He further renounced depictions that the State Television broadcasted about the departed Imam [Khomeini] and viewed them as ruining the fundamentals of the establishment. He further added: “State TV despoils the doctrine and behavior of the departed Imam Khomeini. This is exactly what foreign news agencies do.”

According to reports of Parleman News Agency, members of [the minority opposition] Committee of Imam’s Path visited Mir Hossein Mousavi as part of New Year rituals.

At the introduction of this session, the most senior member of the committee, Mr. Tabesh, congratulated Mr. Prime minister for the new year, and hoped that the new year would be a year of blessing for the great nation of Iran, families of martyrs, devotees of the Islamic Revolution and victims of the election aftermath.

Mr. Tabesh continued: “Last year, nation of Iran defended the achievements of the revolution with their magnificent participation in the election, but unfortunately the government did not respond to them in the way they deserved. The government did not make a good deal with the nation.”

He then alluded to the name ‘Path of Imam’ that minority opposition group of reformist delegates had adopted for their committee, and added: “As the members of Path of Imam committee in the parliament we should be informers, missionaries of Imam’s thoughts and views and the path he had laid out.”

He further added: “Unfortunately, today the picture that Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Corp. depicts of Imam [Khomeini] is a great misdeed towards Imam. Biased broadcasting of selected parts of Imam’s statements taken out of their original time and context makes the younger generations ask whether this is really how the ‘great’ Imam [Khomeini] they have heard so much about is.

Tabesh acknowledged Mr. Mousavi’s lengthy time of public of service as the prime minister during the leadership of Imam Khomeini, and requested that as one of companions of Imam, he would talk about Imam’s way of life, and strategies that Imam employed to balance the power and manage governance of the country.

As the meeting continued, Mr. Mousavi too, congratulated the New Year to the members present and wished greatness for the great nation of Iran. He further continued with some of his memories from his time as prime minister.

He said: “Imam [Khomeini], despite his firm support of me and my government, he never made the decisions that impacted all people alone. To make such decisions he would consult the opinions of everyone necessary, and basically viewed such consultations as his religious duty. I remember for instance, during those times there were issues on removing restrictions to bring rice from the north of country to Tehran and other locations in the country, and some of our friends were insisting that such restrictions should be removed so that prices would decline. In a meeting with three heads of three branches of power conceded that they would remove the restrictions though I was still against it for my own reasons. Imam heard this issue of my disagreement and said that although he does not believe prices would decline, he orders that whatever the majority has ruled should be executed.”

Mousavi expressed that: “Despite his unique popularity within the people and despite the capabilities and abilities that he possessed according to law and thanks to trust of people along with his own accurate and apt view of issues, the departed Imam still gave the highest priority to consultations with heads of the branches of power and experts of the time on matters that impacted the whole nation. He would never base his decisions on views of one group. The meetings of the three branches, prior to the existence of an ‘Expediency Council’ and later establishing the Expediency Council were all results of this doctrine of Imam [Khomeini] in his governance.

The prime minister of Imam [Khomeini] reminded that: “One of the reasons behind that government’s aptitude to solve the problems and crises in that time was due this relation that people directly had with the establishment, government, and the leadership, plus the fact that all the decisions were made rationally through consultations with the collective [groups present.]

He recalled another memory: “In the last days of Imam Khomeini’s life, I foresaw major changes in the government and predicted that I won’t be there anymore. I was worried about the problems that these changes would bring about. One of these problems was supplying essential goods needed in the country and so in a meeting between the heads of the executive, judiciary, and the legislative body, I proposed to dedicate some of the government’s income to purchase and store wheat. We all agreed on this matter and wrote a letter to Imam Khomeini informing him about our conclusion and seeking his ruling. He responded that we should proceed if we all agreed on the matter.”

Mousavi continued: “Though Imam could simply agree with our proposal, he demonstrated his dependence on collective reason using his language and emphasized that the use of collective reasoning be a principle. He always lived by this principle and so most decisions in his time were made collectively by government official in the legal framework with minimum exceptions to the rule.

Mousavi further talked about the previous years events and remarked: “If in dealing with these occurrences, we followed Imam’s path in using collective reasoning, looking at the bigger picture, and preventing one group to dominate the discourse and the decision making process, we would not have come across these bitter moments.”

While recalling another occurrence, Mousavi added: “I remember that in parliamentary elections, Esfahan was an important electoral district that attracted a lot of attention. As with every other human, Imam also had a preference for some of the candidates running in Esfahan. Once when I was reading to him the election results, he smiled: ‘It’s OK, let them take Esfahan.’ Those in attendance appreciated how well Imam handled the results.”

“Imam encouraged presence of all factions and streams and did not prevent specific groups [from participating in the political process]. It was people who, by mean of their vote, decided which group or school of thought took power. Imam’s proposals for constitutional reform in 1990 showed that he continuously insisted on collective reasoning and the necessity to abide by the law. Discussing these issues is a proper way of introducing Imam Khomeini’s way of thinking, his manners and methods. Unfortunately what we witness on the state media, which is to damage Imam Khomeini’s doctrine and conduct, destroys the pillars of the system. This is exactly what the foreign media does as well. Both state and foreign media show a part of his speech, without discussing the context in which the speech was given, to imply a specific misguided image of Imam Khomeini. This results in an incomplete and incorrect understanding of Imam Khomeini by the audience specifically the younger generation. I think in this regard, the foreign and state media are like two blades of scissor which damage Imam Khomeini’s bright image.

Introducing Imam Khomeini to the public as he really was would have increased the legitimacy of the system. It is unfortunate that some do not take advantage of this great opportunity and on the contrary attack and damage roots of this system with [misguided] propaganda [regarding Imam Khomeini]  Last year’s events reemphasized the reality that it is useful to look at the past and compensate for those events based on collective reasoning and Imam’s true image – not the one introduced in certain media – as a role model.

In continuation of their visits for the Persian New Year, the minority fraction of the parliament (reformist) visited Mehdi Karroubi, one of the Green leaders. In this meeting Mehdi Karroubi while strongly condemning the growth of lies, rumors and deception in the name of Islam and religion by a small group added: “Today I am not only mourning for Imam Khomeini [as the founder of the revolution] and what has happened to the revolution but more than anything I am mourning for Islam and Imam Ali (shia’s first Imam who was the symbol of justice).”

In continuation of their visits for the Persian New Year, the minority fraction of the parliament (reformist) visited Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, former president. In this meeting Seyyed Mohammad Khatami by emphasizing that the main responsibilities of the members of the parliament are to defend people’s rights , follow up on their demands and to prevent tension asked the members of the parliament to concentrate their efforts on making the current closed political atmosphere open , freeing the political prisoners and holding free elections

Approximately 8 months ago Mehdi Karroubi, based on evidence and documents, revealed the horrible crimes committed in Kahrizak prison where peaceful protestors of the post-election events were detained, tortured and some were even killed. Karroubi in a letter to Ayatollah Hashemi-Rafsanjani, the head of the Assembly of Experts and the Expediency Council, strongly objected to the inhuman treatment against the detained protestors in prisons especially Kahrizak prison and demanded immediate investigation to this matter. Since then Mehdi Karroubi had been under harsh attack from the pro-government fanatics; his party was shutdown, his personal office and newspaper were shutdown, many of his close advisors and allies were arrested and he and his family members were physically attacked in numerous incidents. Mehdi Karroubi has proven his case based on strong evidence and documents and in response to the false accusations of the pro-government propaganda asked for a platform so that he can defend his case but he has been denied such right. However Karroubi’s courageous act in raising this issue and his strong documents and evidence caused the authorities to shut down the Kahrizak prison and a fact-finding committee was formed in the parliament that in their final report Saeed Mortazavi, the former notorious prosecutor of revolutionary court, was named as one of the main individuals involved in the crimes committed in Kahrizak prison. Mohammad Davari, the chief editor of SahamNews (Karroubi’s official website) has been arrested seven months ago with the charges of collecting the documents and evidence regarding the Kahrizak crimes. According to SahamNews, Davari has been under torture and harsh interrogations since his arrest and has been denied from his basic rights. The ruling power is trying to force Davari to a staged confession to deny Karroubi’s case and question the authenticity of the evidence and documents especially regarding the sexual abuse cases. At the moment the physical and spiritual conditions of Davari is very bad and he is under lots of pressure. He is being kept in solitary confinement and after going on hunger strike is now very weak and in poor health condition and at the moment there is no information regarding his case. Given all these and despite all the attacks against Mehdi Karroubi in the recent months, he has always responded firmly. In his interviews and statements Karroubi has always emphasized that he is not afraid of anything and will stand till the very end to defend people’s rights. (By FB translation team)

Mir Hossein Mousavi met with minority faction of Parliament (reformists). In this meeting Mousavi urged the return to “collective wisdom” in order to save the country from the post-election crisis and stressed that the bitter incidents that were witnessed in the aftermath of the presidential election would have not happened if the ruling power would have used the “collective wisdom” rather than insisting on the views of a single fraction. (Full English transltion of this report will be available soon)

In continuing their new year visits, the delegates of the coalition of reformist parties, the Imam Khomeini Line, went to see Hashemi Rafsanjani today.

Mohammad Reza Tabesh [MP from the city of Ardakan, a nephew of Mohammad Khatami - sitting to the left of Rafsanjani] said: “although right now different issues are being discussed in the country, especially the the subsidies bill and the economic situation, we must not forget that these issues are secondary and the primary issue at hand is the stability and security of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

He continued: “We must not see further distancing of the ruling establishment and the people. And we hope that the ruling establishment will use wisdom and foresight to fill the distances [that have been created].”

Referring to Ayatollah Khomeini’s statement that “parliament must be at the forefront” Tabesh said: “today, I think there is an absolute need for parliament to be at the head of the country’s affairs.”

It was then Hashemi Rafsanjani’s turn to put forth his views. “The disagreements that have been created in the current circumstance, must be rectified. This is only possible with the leader at the forefront. All other forces must move in accordance with the pivotal role of the leader.”

Hashemi Rafsanjani referred to the different needs of Iran’s young population and said: “we must meet the youth’s cultural and social needs with appropriate planning. At the same time, we must act in a way such that the younger generations know of the value and worth of previous achievements. We must not talk in a way which degrades past achievements.”

He too referred to Ayatollah Khomeini’s statements about parliament being at forefront of the country’s affairs and recalled memories of the formation of the first parliament [after the revolution].

The head of the Assembly of Experts continued: “when the Imam [Khomeini] said that parliament must be at the forefront, this wasn’t a tactical or political statement, it was a foundational statement [which defined the basis of the Islamic Republic]. Because parliament is the symbol of the people’s will and the foundation of the rule of the people and the Imam emphasized that democracy must continue through parliament.”

Rafsanjani continued: “the Imam believed that parliament should be at the helm, and that saving the revolution would only be possible through valuing parliament. And in the same spirit, so through [valuing] the Imam, leader and the constitution. Parliament is a powerful body which has been able to bring many of the country’s laws to a conclusion.”

He referred to the negligence towards subsidies reform in the Fourth Development Plan and called this reform a very important task that would benefit the country if carried out properly. “Surgically removing subsidies [the subsidies reform bill] will certainly have consequences, and the greater the amount, the bigger the consequences and the shock. Carrying out this law requires a great deal of empathy, and correct management. It must not be carried out in a way to cause the discontent of the people.”

“Saving the Islamic Republic is of great importance, and in the new year, we need to create trust in the country’s political sphere.” He emphasized: “I am gravely worried to see that those who greatly care for the system are distanced [from the system]. Considering the situation in neighboring countries, if we are united, we can create an island of stability for the entire region.”

Go to original article.

Feizollah Arab-Sorkhi, a senior member of Mojahedin of Islamic Revolution (reformist), has been allowed a 5-day leave from prison on heavy bail. Arab-Sorkhi was arrested only days after the rigged presidential election and was in Evin prison since then.

Families of the three imprisoned senior advisors of Mir Hossein Mousavi (Arab-Mazad, Beheshti-Shirazi, and Behzadiyan-Nejad) visited a number of senior religious figures and Marjas in the holy city of Qom and companied about the illegal and inhuman treatment of the authorities against their loved ones. In the meetings with Grand Ayatollahs Vahid-Khorasani, Mousavi-Ardebili and Bayat-Zanjani the families of these three senior advisors of Mir Hossein Mousavi gave a brief report about the situations of their loved ones and that they are being denied their basic rights. They added that they cannot even visit with their loved ones according to the law and the very few visits they could have was after putting many requests and writing many letters. The families of these imprisoned advisors of Mir Hossein Mousavi will visit more religious figures in the following days. Mir Hossein Mousavi’s advisors were arrested in the aftermath of Bloody Ashura in December and are being kept in harsh conditions without any specific charges since then.

According to Islamic Republic daily approximately 150 workers of a textile factory in Ardebil province (North-West of Iran) have gathered in front of the office of the governor in protest to not having been paid any wages in 7 months. This factory came into operation as part of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s economy agenda before the election (as part of his campaign) and was supposed to return profits soon and employ about 5 thousand workers. However not only the factory cut its work force to 15% of the original number but now after 7 months the workers have not been paid their salary!

Last night a group of plain clothes individuals in an appalling act attacked the grave of late Ayatollah Seyyed Rohollah Khatami, father of the former president Seyyed Mohammad Khatami. Following this horrendous act the wife of late Ayatollah Rohollah Khatami started a sit-in strike at her husband’s grave until the authorities reveal who were those that freely attacked the grave of the revolutionary figure and the representative of Imam Khomeini in the province of Yazd (In south of Iran). According to Parlemanews these so-called “unknown” individuals by splashing paint on the picture of late Ayatollah Khatami and the engraved message of Imam Khomeini that was issued for the departure of late Ayatollah committed an unspeakable act and insulted this respected religious and revolutionary figure. Following this ugly action a group of family members of martyrs and veterans [of Iran-Iraq war] have been going toward the grave of late Ayatollah Khatami to join his wife and show their anger and protest. Also the reformist representative of the province of Yazd in the parliament demanded immediate investigation in this matter to identify those who committed this horrendous act.

Delegates of the “Imam path fraction” (Reformists) started intensive meetings with Mousavi, Karrubi, Hashemi-Rafsanjani, and Khatami. Details about these meetings and negotiations will be published soon.

Mohammad Nourizad, the imprisoned journalist and filmmaker, is going to be taken to a court today (Monday April 5th). His wife and family hope to have a chance to see him for the first time since the last 107 days! During the time of his detention, he has not been allowed to have any visit with his family and was denie…d even a phone call for 93 days because of not bowing to the interrogators’ illegal demands and conditions. The only direct contact to his family was a phone in which je assured of his health and his persistence and emphasized: “I am standing firm with an Iron Will.”

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Extensive arrests of Azaris in their gathering for defending Lake Urmiya.  More Pics

Yesterday, Friday April 2, 2010 (the nature’s day), security forces attacked Azari environment activists who had gathered at Lake Urmiya, and while bashing and beating them, arrested many of the families.

According to the reports, security personnel by creating inspection station in a 50 km radius leading to the lake-crossing bridge and prevented people from going to the lake. They also arrested the passengers are some buses and minibuses going toward the lake in cities of Ilkhchi and Salmas.

According to reports more than hundred Azari citizen were arrested including Yavar Jamali, Morteza Avazpour, Mohammad Tajdehi, Mansour Seyfi, Arsalan Zare’ee, Hamid Valayee, Ahmad Valayee, Hossein Nasiri, Askar Sadoghi, Mohammad Tabrizi, Ali Baghbani, Yaghub Ramezani, Mohammad Mohammadlo, Azizkhan Sadeghzadeh and Sadighi. The names of others arrested are not known.
The arrests and beatings of Azaris by the coup government was because of the invitation of Azaris social activists who invited people have their nature’s day celebration (the tradition of the thirteenth day of Farvardin month on which Iranian people spend the day in nature) to show their objections to the coup government’s policies in making the lake dry.

The security personnel threw tear gas at people and attacked and beat families who were trying to spend their day by the lake and prevented access to the lake-crossing bridge. The police also issued tickets for cars that were trying to get to the lake from other routes.

In this event which was to support the environment and the Urmiya Lake, about ten thousand people gathered. In a symbolic move people had brought water and poured in the lake to show their objections to the coup government’s policies in drying the lake. They were also carrying signs in Azari language.

Experts believe that with small investment the government can solve the problem and prevent the lake from drying but the security view of the coup government to all non-Fars ethnicities and its intentional efforts to destroy the environment of these areas have caused extensive protests among Azaris. (by FB translation)

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A group of families of political prisoners who were arrested after the rigged presidential election in June visited Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani, one of the most senior religious figures and supporter of Green Movement, in his office. Grand Ayatollah Bayat-zanjani in this meeting while praising the political prisoners addressed to their families said: “Your loved ones are among the most pure and honest people of the society.” He emphasized: “The fact that these brothers and sisters are in prison now is a proof that they are right and these dears are paying the price of their quest for justice.” Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani added: “At this situation I don’t want to congratulate you however you should be proud to be in such families that your loved ones are among the prides of the nation as the situation they are in is due to their actions for reforming the affairs, denouncing the bad as well as their efforts in improving the situation of the society.” He added: “The fact that your loved ones are in prison now should not make you hopeless and when you are going through such difficulties, remember the imprisonment of Imam Mousa-Ibn- Jafar (Shia’s 7th Imam who was imprisoned most of his life by the tyrant ruler of the time because he was speaking for the justice and oppressed); did Imam commit any crime to be imprisoned? At these times remember the imprisonment of Prophet Joseph; did he commit any crime but being honest and pure? At these times remember the [unjust] imprisonment of great figures throughout the history that their number is not small.” Grand Ayatollah emphasized: “I am shocked that how come they don’t learn from the fate of the rulers that came to power and fell throughout the history? Why should one ignore the lessons learned from the past and commit the same wrong actions against the best of the people?” He stressed: “Know this that the struggle to stay in power by any means possible requires confrontations such as what is being done against you.” Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani at the end added: “You are oppressed and the prayers of the oppressed will be answered. Therefore I ask you to pray for everyone and know this that these events bring nothing but pride and honor for you and your loved ones.” (by FB translation team)

Go to original article.

RAMIN TALAIE / Corbis

Dr. Zahra Rahnavard, wife of Mir Hossein Mousavi, in a message urged the authorities to not miss the opportunity and free all political prisoners. In this note Zahra Rahnavard by pointing out that the spring is the beginning of the new cycle of life in the nature and that freedom and blossom are the titles of this new chapter asked the authorities to give the nation the freedom it deserves and free all political prisoners in this new chapter of life

In this note Zahra Rahnavard stressed that the government ruling Iran, which claims to be Islamic, could and still can present freedom to the nation and the society.

She added that seeking freedom, demanding democracy, and following law are the three main branches of Iranian society over the past hundred years which still shine as part of Iranian demands and even if we only focus on these three-branched demands between the constitutional revolution and the 1978 revolution, we see that both of these revolutions are unfinished projects.

She emphasised that [We are in] a situation and in a historic-political stage of our country that the government and the people could, hand in hand, complete this unfinished projects and by releasing all [political] prisoners, finish this process.

Zahra Rahnavard added that with an overall look at these imprisoned free-souls, we can recognize and categorize them:

1. Unknown prisoners, from women and men, old, young and children: They are the body of the nation. They are neither the first moat nor the first trench that its conquest is cause for happiness and they are not a trench that reformists are hiding behind it.

Their demand is only one of many demands of the people. The free-souls that like the rest of Iranian nation have no one under than their God and their wishes. Just that. And for that reason keeping them in prison is a symbol of the ugliest oppressions and pains one can force on a nation. They have great mothers, children, wives and husbands, fathers and families who can’t tolerate their pains any more.

2. Imprisoned women: Iran’s history is full of praise and high stature for women who are the symbol of kindness and compassion. In the historic land of Iran, statues of goddesses and mothers, we not only the symbol of worship and fertility but also the symbol of deep historic respect of this ancient land to women.

3. Activists and well-known political figures: Reformists figures and their aids and colleagues who want nothing other than the prosperity of Iranian nation and achieving metrics of these unfinished projects.

4. Human rights activists and supporters: Before any other civilization or country, human rights have historic roots. The Cyrus the Great cylinder is one of them. The holy Quran also values the human rights so much that starts with the name of God and finishes with a chapter named “the people”. Isn’t this a shame for the Iranian nation that its government calls the governing of human rights an anti Iranian idea and with this false accusation calls human rights activist dependent on foreign governors, and menace to national security?

5. Different races and minorities. Iran is a land of multiculturalism and therefore has a great opportunity to flourish. These different cultures are not trying to separate and become independent. They want nothing other than respect for themselves and the nation. The constitution also puts no limit on their freedom and dignity while encourage their cultural development.

6. Journalists, artists, and media activists. In the modern world, journalists and artists are freedom-seeker, justice-fighters and independent people who are not tied to powers. The presence of journalists and artists are signs of democracy and the new world without them will vanish.

7. Hostages and others. I wonder how some with power create some groups in their minds and place innocent people in these groups and with all sorts of weird and strange names and accusations keep them in prisons or execute them. This is the worst kind of punishment or even some kind of old taking revenge on people to create an environment of fear and terror.

At the end she stressed: “So I swear to the spring that these prisoners are the free-souls” Go to original article.

A group of families of political prisoners who were arrested after the rigged presidential election in June visited Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani, one of the most senior religious figures and supporter of Green Movement, in his office. Grand Ayatollah Bayat-zanjani in this meeting while praising the political prisoners addressed to their families said: “Your loved ones are among the most pure and honest people of the society.” He emphasized: “The fact that these brothers and sisters are in prison now is a proof that they are right and these dears are paying the price of their quest for justice.” Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani added: “At this situation I don’t want to congratulate you however you should be proud to be in such families that your loved ones are among the prides of the nation as the situation they are in is due to their actions for reforming the affairs, denouncing the bad as well as their efforts in improving the situation of the society.” He added: “The fact that your loved ones are in prison now should not make you hopeless and when you are going through such difficulties, remember the imprisonment of Imam Mousa-Ibn- Jafar (Shia’s 7th Imam who was imprisoned most of his life by the tyrant ruler of the time because he was speaking for the justice and oppressed); did Imam commit any crime to be imprisoned? At these times remember the imprisonment of Prophet Joseph; did he commit any crime but being honest and pure? At these times remember the [unjust] imprisonment of great figures throughout the history that their number is not small.” Grand Ayatollah emphasized: “I am shocked that how come they don’t learn from the fate of the rulers that came to power and fell throughout the history? Why should one ignore the lessons learned from the past and commit the same wrong actions against the best of the people?” He stressed: “Know this that the struggle to stay in power by any means possible requires confrontations such as what is being done against you.” Grand Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani at the end added: “You are oppressed and the prayers of the oppressed will be answered. Therefore I ask you to pray for everyone and know this that these events bring nothing but pride and honor for you and your loved ones.” (by FB translation team)

“I should I add that these difficult conditions have had some benefits as well, alongside all the damage. Among them is the development of self-reliance and the expansion of the Green Movement to countless other social networks. I still believe [in] the importance of the motto “Every Citizen; One Media”, along with increased usage of social networks to raise awareness. I believe that there is no alternative for such social networks.” Mir Hossein Mousavi

YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_suwM_JDUT4 For Jaafar Panahi, the renowned imprisoned director who was arrested more than a month ago at his home along with some of his friends and colleagues. Jafar Panahi had made Mir Hossein Mousavi’s TV campaign ad for the tenth presidential election.

Mehdi Karoubi as part of his visits with the families of political prisoners visited with the family of imprisoned journalist and human rights activist, Emadeddin Baghi. In this visit Emadeddin Baghi’s wife, Fatemeh Kamali, while explaining the problems that have happened for the release of Baghi, express her worries over the health of her husband. Emadeddin Baghi, journalist and human rights activist, was arrested for his interview with Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, the spiritual father of the Green movement.During the visit, Mehdi Karoubi expressed his sorrow for the situation that has happened for the political and social intellectuals of the country including Emadeddin Baghi and said that those in power should think of a solution for coming out of this situation because continuation of this condition will lead to an extensive crisis. He added that all political prisoners including Emadeddin Baghi, Ahmad Ghabel, Ahmad Zeyd-Abadi, Isa Saharkhiz, Feyzollah Arab-Sorkhi must be released. He continued these people with their academic, religion and political background should be praised not put in jails.(by FB translation)

Seyyed Mosfada Tajzadeh, the deputy interior minister in Khatami’s cabinet, and his wife, Fakhrossadat Mohtashamipour, visited Mehdi Karoubi and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami as part of their visits to the reformist figures for the Persian New Year. Seyyed Mostafa Tajzadeh who is a senior member of the Participation Front and Mojahedin for Revolution was arrested only days after the rigged election in June and was temporary released recently from Evin prison for the Persian New Year. Tajzadeh has become a symbol of resistance since he never gave up on his beliefs during the harsh interrogations and under pressure. At the time that Tajzadeh was on leave from prison he along with his wife visited the families of political prisoners and many reformist figures for the Persian New Year and in solidarity.

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