Monday
Aug302010
Iran Breaking: Karroubi on Election Fraud; House Surrounded by Pro-Regime Crowd
Monday, August 30, 2010 at 18:48 
UPDATE 1725 GMT: There appears to be a nasty escalation in tension. Fars News has declared that the Karroubi house is hosting meetings of plotters for "sedition". Karroubi's Saham News reports that the house has been surrounded by 50 "plainsclothes forces", preventing the cleric from leaving to attend religious cermonies.---
Mehdi Karroubi's statement in a meeting with young reformists on the anniversary of the birth of Imam Hossein. Translation by Negar Irani:
During these gatherings, our discussions often revolve around the families of those imprisoned, those who were harmed, injured, and martyred after the elections last year.
It is lamentable and disheartening to speak of all the faceless and nameless individuals who have paid such a heavy price during this past year. Individuals about whom most of us still remain in the dark and even if any information has been provided, though inadvertently, little attention has been given to their plight and the difficulties they have had to endure....
The elections that took place last June with unprecedented joy and excitement by the public were turned into unimaginable events. Even now, one and a half years later [sic], in August of 2010, no matter where you are you only hear discussion of those who have been imprisoned and those who have been martyred. It is a pity that an election in which the people were demanding the results of their vote turned into this. We witnessed what they [the ruling government] did to our citizens, whether they were well known individuals or ordinary citizens....
Some claim that there has been fraud, while others insist the contrary. We however continue to state that not only was there election fraud, but more importantly this fraud was massive and widespread. In other words, it was not just around one or two million votes, it was extensive and the results of the elections were pre-determined before the vote took place. The results were rigged in order to show that one individual [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad] had received 25 million votes, while another [Mir Hossein Mousavi] a few million, and a third [Karroubi] only three hundred thousand votes. They wanted the opposition to be defeated. We have sufficient evidence regarding this matter and given the opportunity we will discuss and clarify all the facts.
These gentlemen claim that the Guardian Council oversees this issue and will look into any claims of fraud and that we must pursue our complaints through legal channels. The problem, however, lies in the fact this body is unfortunately not impartial. It is clear to everyone that they have rejected all objectivity and as such are implicated in the betrayal of the people's votes. If the Guardian Council is indeed impartial, then why do they not allow for a face-to-face meeting? I request that they set up a meeting at the location of their choice, a university, a mosque, at the IRIB, in which representatives of the current ruling government are also present, so that we can prove that not only has there been fraud, but that the results were rigged and pre-determined. It goes without saying that independent journalists would have to be present in order to publish the outcome of such a debate so that the discussion that takes place would be reflected in an honest and forthright manner.
We will also prove that the oversight committee behaves in a defensive and vindictive manner while the executive branch is busy giving speeches and spending exorbitant amounts of money promoting their personal agenda and for their own personal gain; neither of which have remained impartial and fair when reformist groups have tried to voice their complaints."
Some of these gentlemen behave as though they are in daily contact with Gabriel, receiving divine revelations. I am perplexed at the extent to which individuals are affected by power and the level to which they can be selfish. I am bewildered at the extent to which religious individuals lie and deceive, turning their back on the truth and reality. I have been committed to religion, the clergy and the Islamic Republic for many years, always seeking to protect and defend the right of the people and unlike claims by some, I have no regrets and am proud of my behavior and my past.....
The people of our nation are those who are dissatisfied across our land, in our streets and neighborhoods in our bazaars and places of business. They express their dissatisfaction in a peaceful manner....
The incidents at Kahrizak [Prison, site of post-election abuses and killings] were a disgrace for the ruling government. We have spoken at length about the atrocities that took place at Kahrizak. Instead of looking into these grave incidents in a just and correct manner, they chose to attack those of us who spoke out against them. They eventually admitted that crimes were committed and even named three of those who had lost their lives as martyrs. What then of all the others that lost their lives on that day and the days that followed, were they not martyrs too?...
A high-ranking member in charge of security has made certain claims and allegations [ in a recent "leaked" audio pointing to repression of the opposition before and after the elections]. These honorable gentlemen [seven detained reformists] have in return written a letter officially announcing their complaint regarding these unproven claims. Do we resolve anything by arresting them and sending them back to jail? Isn't sending them back to jail just a reaction?
They won't even allow for a few people to gather in one place. They forbid funeral services and fasting ceremonies. All comings and goings and visitations are controlled. If they would provide a permit and allow for us to organize a march, everything would become apparent. They [the ruling government] don't even dare to allow for us to organize a gathering in a mosque as it will only further demonstrate the support and opinion of the people regarding the movement. They fear our presence amongst the people. They are fearful of our discussions with the public. They are fearful of the fact that we tell the truth. Despite this fear, due to today's technological advances and social media outlets, they are no longer able to censure the news and prevent the truth from being told.
I have witnessed several elections after the Imam [Khomeini]'s death, including 5 parliamentary elections (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th parliaments), six presidential elections (2 during the formative years, 2 during the reform period, and 2 during the current government's rule, whose supposed ideals and service to Iran speaks for itself!). I have also witnessed, analyzed and been active in 3 election cycles in relation to the Assembly of Experts. It is my intent to demonstrate how 20 years after the death of Imam Khomeini, events were put in motion with the intent to suppress, leading us to our current unfortunate predicament.
Reader Comments (5)
[...] with the intent to suppress, leading us to our current unfortunate predicament.”source: Enduring America window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({appId: "135378603168062", status: true, cookie: true, [...]
GO OBI-WON KARROUBI!
Any attack on Karroubi will only further mobilise the Greens. Surrounding his house now is a prelude to Quds Day, most feared by AN and his Bassiji thugs.
All recent measures like preventing the press of mentioning opposition leaders, attacking Ayatollah Dastgheyb at the Qoba mosque and at home as well as preventing the reformers meeting for Qadr night in Mashhad attest to the regime's rising nervousness and its inability to restore calm in society.
On the other hand Ramadan serves as an excuse to arrest citizens for "bad hijab" in big cities and close down fashion shops in Mashhad.
Another front against the population is dressed up by implementing the subsidy cuts without compensatory measures: electricity bills have suddenly been augmented by 30% in Ahvaz (heavily dependent on coolers) http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=21099
The same goes for the provinces Gilan and Mazanderan at the Caspian Sea: http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=21076
Meanwhile Science Minister Daneshjoo declares war on universities, and 120,000 school teachers have been dismissed throughout the country: http://www.peykeiran.com/Content.aspx?ID=21049
Iran is not menaced by foreign states, her biggest enemies are domestic.
[...] Hossein, describes the men as, “…militias whom the government fully supports.” In a recent meeting with reform activists, the former presidential candidate spoke of the Ahmadinejad [...]
[...] READ THE ENTIRE TRANSLATION HERE: [...]