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Press Archive - 13th June 2009 - 16 Comments »

Iran Election Update: Reformist Candidate’s Headquarters Seized and Locked

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Partial Vote Count Declaring Ahmadinejad Win Amidst Allegations of Widespread Fraud “Gross violation of the right to a free and fair election”

(13 June 2009) [As of 7 am Tehran time] After a disputed election, the offices of two reformist candidates, Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi were seized and locked by intelligence and security forces. As the Interior Ministry is declaring Ahmadinejad as the victor, the security apparatus loyal to him have taken to the streets in an overwhelming show of force.

According to unconfirmed reports, Mir Hossein Moussavi may have been detained by intelligence agents as he traveled to the Supreme Leader’s residence to meet with him.

By all indications, the government of Ahmadinejad, which is in charge of conducting the elections and counting votes, is using a combination of intimidation and military might to prevent any challenges to announced results of the election.

“It appears that a coup has taken place in Iran overnight to force the results on other parties. These elections cannot be considered fair by any measure under such circumstances,” said Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

Moussavi’s official website, www.ghalamnews.ir, reported that when his supporters gathered around his headquarters to celebrate what they believed was his victory based on reports of his representatives at polling stations, police forces confronted them using pepper spray and violently dispersed them. Moussavi’s headquarters have been since shut, similar to Karroubi’s headquarters.

At 11 PM Tehran time, Moussavi told a press conference, “I am the absolute winner of the election by a very wide margin. It is our duty to defend people’s votes. There is no turning back.”

However, since then the situation seems to have drastically shifted in favor of Ahmadinejad, with continuous announcements of his wide margin of victory. According to reports from Tehran, heavy armed agents, many in plainclothes, have taken control of major intersections.

As of this writing, crowds of Ahmadinejad’s supporters are reportedly already celebrating his victory in the streets.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed its serious concerns about the vote counting process and the intimidation of candidates to accept results of government counts without any challenge. The Campaign is also seriously concerned about the safety of Moussavi and Karroubi and their top advisors, as well as the possibility of violence against any protestors who may publicly challenge the government.

“The Iranian people, throughout this entire election process, believed that through peaceful and legal means significant change could be achieved and they participated enthusiastically, but their right to a free and fair election has been grossly violated,” Ghaemi said.



16 Comments

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Georgia
Jun 13, 2009 6:28

First of all, why the heck is Mousavi and Karroubi being detained – under what charges, grounds, or offenses are they being held? (He has not committed any crime, unlike his opponent “Ahmed” – and therefore, should promptly be released at once! Otherwise, that is considered “unlawful detainment” – and here in America, “unlawful detainment” is considered *UNLAWFUL*!!)

Secondly, why are the police using such harsh, unnecessary, over-the-top use-of-force measures to disperse the crowds around Moussavi’s headquarters? (Here in America, that kind of use-of-force would be considered “abuse-of-force” – and those involved, particularly the police, would be in a lot of hot water if they did something like that!)

Thirdly, aren’t the people of Iran free to speak their minds and share their opinions – even if they don’t agree with one another, especially the goverment? (It’s called “Freedom of Speech” – I do believe everyone was given this lawful and undeniable right by God, and *NOBODY* has the right to take it away, other than God!) So, what is Ahmadinejad/his corrupted government so afraid of – are they afraid the people of Iran might actually speak the truth?!…Speak out against him/them/their corrupted policies?

N.CH
Jun 13, 2009 6:38

we all think it was not a big election,it was a huge cheat!

شروین
Jun 13, 2009 7:38

there is an absolute frude in iran election and mirhossein moosavi is under security forces . the international society shoude help him .

Mark
Jun 13, 2009 17:06

This is not a surprise. There is no democracy in Iran, and elections are just a farce.

Ben
Jun 13, 2009 18:30

Here in Iran, dictators who have claimed their triumph by cheating and lies, are so afraid of people to get to know the truth.If people speak out the truth and protest against unlawful election, it’s a threat to their invalid existence.Ahmadinejad himslef is such a big lie yet he denies Holocaust.He is such a dictator who has blocked facebook,youtube, wireless network, mobile network, text messaging, and all of websites which supported Mousavi. It’s such a disaster in Iran.It’s time that international committees interfere and stop such a massive fiasco.
Please help us

nick
Jun 13, 2009 21:28

god damn it!!ahmadi nejad again?!!of course it’s impossible …..its not acceptable for iran poor people……UN and international societies should help iran people.

Nina
Jun 13, 2009 22:14

Of course here in Iran we ALL know there is no democracy but since we are a generation seeking peaceful change we gave it a shot and tried to change by massively voting and advertising this time. actually this was the last hope. If no change can be made by voting than the only way out would be another revolution or sth close to that. unfortunately now people all feel used and abused and are in shock and angry.
With authorities like these our people will only get killed and then nothing will change. The government has cheated BIG time. we all knew they always cheated and lied openly about it but no one could ever expect to see it taken to such an extreme and so openly.
Currently in Iran people are being killed and injured. text messages have been cut for a few days now and from tonight, we also can’t use our cellphones. All the sites have suddenly gotten filtered and internet connections are so poor you can barely open pages sometimes and at other times there is no internet at all.
This all happens while our government shouts our freedom to the world with pride.
I beg international committees to help us! we don’t want so many people killed. it is obvious that the majority of voted were in favor of Mousavi. Plz help:(
Thanx

linda
Jun 14, 2009 0:41

I do hope Ahmadinejad sleeps tight tonight, knowing he actually would never ever win the election if it would be a fair one.

Peter North
Jun 14, 2009 3:06

Just remember: Tehran is NOT Iran and those people protesting the election results are merely a bunch of poor losers unable to cope with the realities of their own country (typically young, suburban, middle and upper class). The Supreme Leader should place the nation under Martial Law and I can guarantee this show will be over in a couple of days; the Islamic Republic needs to put its entire attention on real and sensitive issues such as the impending Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s troubling economy is NOT Ahmadinejad’s fault (if you understand a little bit of micro and macro economics and the effects of current international sanctions, you will be able to grasp this) and social reforms are beyond his scope of duties. Congratulations to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his indisputable electoral triumph.

G. Fawkes
Jun 14, 2009 5:28

The Iranian people had too much faith that their electoral system would not be sabotaged and are venting their anger at being ripped off. But the opposition is ill-prepared. They do not have the means nor the organisation to bring about a revolution.It should have been obvious to them when the SMS in their cell phones was disabled days before the election that there was going to be a surprise not to the liking of the populace. When rioting such as this fails to make a change for the better, it makes a change for the worse. Expect to see reduction in human rights in the name of security. The insurgency needed control over the some media, a good percentage of transportation, and a section of the armed forces. It doesn’t appear like they have achieved any of this. However, if the populace were allowed to have firearms they would have achieved all of these. Tyrants do not like an armed citizenry.

Nasim
Jun 14, 2009 7:51

I’m going to hate this country! I feel like I don’t belong here anymore! they didn’t count my vote! I have no connection with this world! there are filters everywhere, sites are filtered, satellite, you can’t go to the streets and you can’t even use your phone! I feel like a prisoner! And it’s extremely abusive! We are shouting for help! Why isn’t anyone helping us! Do something! Please! :(

mani
Jun 14, 2009 15:19

damn on cheaters

Robert
Jun 14, 2009 19:49

I feel very sorry for the Iranian people. But they will have to change this themselves. The international political structure’s help will not be forthcoming.

There are only two outcomes: Revolution or Acceptance.

kourosh
Jun 15, 2009 11:45

A number of the revolutionary guards on motorbikes have been caught by the young protesters. None of the four captured speak farsi and only Arabic. One of them in said to be from Lebanon.

This is why they feel nothing when bashing our young borthers and sisters so ruthlessly. Shame on you Khamenei, shame on all of you in the evil regime that has been continusously raping our country for the last 30 years.

Mark
Jun 16, 2009 2:18

Lebanese were also involved in the persecution of Shirin Ebadi. Why are the Ayatollahs hiring mercenaries to do their dirty work?

ali
Jun 17, 2009 11:15

the Iranian police and Basij attack to people and university and kill people who dose not any gun or other, i ask from world to help us

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