Thursday
Dec172009
Latest Iran Video: Interview of the "Basij Member" on the Election and Abuses (16 December)
Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 10:13
I initially refrained from posting this video, an interview of a purported Basiji militiaman by Britain's Channel 4 News, with its explosive claims about detainee abuse and rigging of the Presidential election, as I cannot confirm the authenticity of the interviewee and Channel 4 (understandably) offers no evidence to verify his claimed identity. In light of reader feedback, however, I am posting this for viewers to consider the assertions and make their judgements.
tagged Basiji, Detainees, Iran, Iran Elections 2009 in Middle East & Iran
Basiji, Detainees, Iran, Iran Elections 2009 in Middle East & Iran
Reader Comments (14)
Greetings;
This is from the blog of the interviewee/ person who the Bassijj confessed to:
http://blogs.channel4.com/snowblog/2009/12/16/interviewing-a-former-iranian-basij-militia-member/
Makes some points which make it lean towards being authentic
Isn't Britain's Channel 4 a major network, so this would be as credible as something from ABC or CBS or the like? Or are they some shady Fox News type network ;-)
More specifically from that blog:
"For months now, we’ve heard horrific stories of rape and abuse from Iran’s gaols.
Since the election last June, hundreds, maybe thousands, of opposition protestors have been beaten and gaoled. Human rights groups have documented persistent reports of rape within the police stations and gaols.."
"It was 20 June. He gave us the name of the police station where he says the assaults took place, and identified the mullah in charge of the basij in his city. We’re not revealing any of the details which could identify him, but which we needed to know to authenticate his story.
He spoke in the elaborate, religious Persian used by many Basij volunteers, and while he was willing to talk to us, he refused to shake the hand of a woman, another sign of his religious background.
Maybe the most convincing authentification we have is that his story confirms the reports we’ve had from victims and human rights groups, who say rape has been used all over Iran in the brutal months since the June election. That and his desperation. Rarely have I interviewed someone so distressed.
“I am ashamed in front of people, even to say that I was mistaken, and I am ashamed in front of my religion,” he said. “I committed crimes, knowingly and unknowingly. Now I’m left with my conscience punishing me for what I did.”"
Hmm good question - dunno need to do more research about Channel 4 news - the only major news service i am familiar with in regards to British press is BBC
From the article that has the video - though it does make sense the underlying pretense of why an ex Basij would be in the UK in the first place and able to talk so freely (nonetheless needs to have some anonymity as the video shows] since the Regime has had a history of assassinating and harassing dissidents overseas.
"After months of stories by witnesses and victims, we are now getting a picture of what went on by a man who claims he was part of the group ordered to carry out attacks.
He is now seeking refuge in the UK and has spoken exclusively to Channel 4 News about the orders the Basij were given to ensure President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the election."
If anybody has any thing they could add or expand upon to further expand upon the issue/topic definitely would b appreciated
Rev Magdalen,
Channel 4 News is, in my opinion, the best daily news programme on British television and matched only in audio-visual media by BBC Radio 4's morning and drive-time programmes. Lindsay Hilsum is a reporter I have admired for years, especially for her coverage in the field.
S.
Scott,
Thanks for posting this and again thanks for keeping me up all night once more!
Bill
Does anyone know why the English text in the section "Election build-up" says that Imam Zaman is the "13. Imam"? Is it a typo? There is no 13. Imam, as far as I know....
http://blogs.channel4.com/snowblog/2009/12/16/interviewing-a-former-iranian-basij-militia-member/
According to this:
http://www.channel4.com/about4/overview.html
Channel 4 is a licensed public service channel that has a legal obligation to provide high quality educational material, so that sounds like they would be obliged to follow standard journalistic authentication procedures.
and the correct link for my comment would be http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/iran%20basij%20member%20describes%20election%20abuse/3466142
(sorry, it has been a short night for me)
"Basij would be in the UK in the first place and able to talk so freely (nonetheless needs to have some anonymity as the video shows] since the Regime has had a history of assassinating and harassing dissidents overseas."
And harassing their families back home..
For those outside the UK, I concur with Scott - Channel 4 News is respected as an excellent source of current affairs with top notch reporters, head and shoulders above the BBC in my opinion (even though the BBC is more well known). Not to be undermined by other (less respected) Channel 4 programs...
It looks like someone who is an 'economic migrant' using the current anti-Iran slant to gain some publicity and sympathy and permission to stay in the UK. This has happened before in British media with a view to manipulate public opinion. If going by what is being said about how cruel, controlling and repressive the current Iranian government is, it amazes me as to how he managed to escape the country alive.