Iran opposition calls for holding a free election

The political party of Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi called on Sunday for the holding of a free election and permission to stage demonstrations, its website said.
The Etemad Melli party also insisted the reformist cleric, who charges that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-election in June last year was the result of fraud, had the evidence to back up his accusations.
“Hold a free election or allow a free gathering by providing security to supporters of Karroubi or (Mir Hossein) Mousavi which will show how people can wake you up” to realities, Sahamnews.org website said, referring to the two main opposition leaders.
“It is necessary for you to know that Mr. Karroubi is standing firm and tall and has evidence for all his comments,” it added in an address to the country’s regime. AFP

Iran arrested 180 in recent days

Iran has arrested more than 180 people in recent days, including journalists, students and human rights campaigners, following anti-government protests late last month, a banned opposition website said on Wednesday.
Rahesabz named 92 people rounded up, including 10 aides to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, 17 journalists working mostly for reformist media and members of the outlawed Bahai faith.Another 94 unnamed students have also been arrested, mostly in the holy city of Mashhad, the website said.

Mousavi: I am not afraid to die, Iran is in serious crisis

Mir Hossein Mousavi, the prominent Iranian opposition politician, has said he is “not afraid to die” in defense of people’s rights and called for an end to the government crackdown on anti-establishment activists.
In a statement on his Kaleme website on Friday, Mousavi also said that the Islamic Republic was in “serious crisis” following the disputed presidential election in June.
“I am not afraid to die for people’s demands … Iran is in serious crisis … Harsh remarks … will create internal uprising … the election law should be changed … political prisoners should be freed,” his statement said. Aljazeera

US condemns ‘ unjust suppression of civilans in Iran

The White House on Sunday strongly condemned “violent and unjust suppression” of civilians in Iran, following a fierce government crackdown on opposition protests.
The strongly-worded statement contrasted with careful initial responses by the White House following post-election protests in Iran in June and came as the nuclear showdown between Tehran and world powers reached a critical point.
“We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights,” White House spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement.
“Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States. AFP

Iran security forces on Sunday killed several protesters including opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi’s nephew in a fierce crackdown on mass anti-government demonstrations in Tehran.

Iran blocks Internet & Mousavi threw support behind student protests

On the eve of student demonstrations planned for today, Iran choked off Internet access and warned journalists working for foreign news media to stick to their offices for the next three days.
Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi threw his support behind the student demonstrations and declared on his website that his movement is alive. “A great nation would not stay silent when some confiscate its vote,” said Mousavi, who claims President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole victory from him by fraud in the presidential election June 12. Source: AP