The Latest from Iran (27 December): The Day of Ashura

2225 GMT: Karroubi Comments. Mehdi Karroubi has issued a statement offering condolences for today’s martyred protesters and condemning those carrying out oppression: “The sins that you have committed today cannot be forgiven by God. If you don’t have a belief in God, at least be a human.”

Karroubi offered a sharp comparison, asserting that even the Shah respected the day of Ashura and gave orders for people to be able to commemorate it as they wished..

2155 GMT: Closing and Wondering. As we get to the end of the day, a tentative assessment of the signficance, "A 5-Minute, 5-Point Reaction to The Events of Ashura". (For those who want to see what 24 hours can bring, see our analysis yesterday in Edward Yeranian's article for the Voice of America.)

2150 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz reports that the brother of Abdollah Nouri, Minister of Interior in the Rafsanjani and Khatami Governments, was severely beaten in Isfahan today.

NEW Iran: A 5-Minute, 5-Point Reaction to The Events of Ashura
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December — 3rd Set)
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December — 2nd Set)
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Ashura Protests (27 December)
NEW Iran: A Tehran Map for Today’s Events
NEW Iran Uncovered: The Top-Secret Obama-Ahmadinejad Relationship
NEW Iran: The False US Friends of the “Iranian People” (An Open Letter to Charles Krauthammer)
NEW Latest Iran Video: Attack on Jamaran Memorial/Khatami Speech (26 December)
Latest Iran Video: Eve of Ashura Protests (26 December — The Jamaran Videos)
Latest Iran Video: The Eve of Ashura Protests (26 December)
The Latest from Iran (26 December): The Eve of Ashura Demonstrations

2040 GMT: Desperation. Press TV, citing Fars, reports --- presumably with a straight face:

A source with the Iranian Intelligence Ministry has announced the arrest of a number of Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorists in the anti-government protests that sparked in central Tehran.

At right, a stunning photograph to set beside the story: an anti-riot officer, wearing a green headband given to him by demonstrators, joins the "MKO terrorist" crowd.

2035 GMT: Martial Law?! Rah-e-Sabz is reporting that martial law was declared at 9 p.m. local time in Najafabad.

The website is also claiming "unprecedented police violence" outside the IRIB buildings.

2030 GMT: Ashura & Mousavi. A crowd have gathered outside Ebn-e-Sina Hospital to mourn and support the family of Mir Hossein Mousavi. Mousavi's nephew Seyed Ali died in the hospital today after being shot in demonstration in Enghelab Square.

2020 GMT: The US Comments. The White House has issued the following statement:

We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights. Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States.

Governing through fear and violence is never just, and as President Obama said in Oslo -- it is telling when governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation.

2005 GMT: AUT News reports on Internet chatter we've heard all evening: Mohammad Moin, the son of Mustafa Moin, former reformist Presidential candidate and Minister in the Rafsanjani and Khatami Governments, was arrested today.

2000 GMT: The Ashura "Martyrs" in Tehran. Rah-e-Sabz has named the five people killed in the capital today: Mehdi Farhadi Nia, Mohammad Ali Rasekhi, Amir Arshadi, Shahram Fraji, and Seyed Ali Mousavi.

1950 GMT: What We're Watching. Reports of clashes outside buildings of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and in squares and avenues across Tehran: Mirdamad, Karegar, Enghelab, Azadi, Tajrish, and 7 Tir.

1835 GMT: And Tonight? From a distance, it feels like the final round of a heavyweight boxing match. The challenger --- having landed some mighty blows and even putting the champion (if you can call the regime "champion") on the ropes --- has punched himself/herself out.

So the protests tonight are smaller, with security forces preventing a mass gathering. For example, groups tried to congregate in Mohseni Square but were contained along Mirdemad Avenue.

Yes, it feels like the final round. Except that you and I know it is far from the final round, right?

1715 GMT: I'm Telling You, They Set the Koran on Fire! That's Fars News' latest attempt to tarnish the protests (which only hours supposedly had not occurred).

1705 GMT: A 3rd set of videos from today is now posted.

1635 GMT: Rouydad is now reporting on the Arak protest and clashes, and we have video from there and Najafabad.

1550 GMT: Beyond Tehran. Josh Shahryar is summarising:

Protests in Mashhad can be confirmed now. Protesters gathered outside Grand Ayatollah Sane’i’s house and at Imam Reza’s Shrine. At least 17 people were arrested – most of them students. Many people were injured in clashes as well.

Protests in Babol can be confirmed too now. Many protesters – including a young girl – were beaten badly by security forces here.

The number of people arrested in Tehran has reached at least 10. The number is probably going to rise. At least 4 people were also killed here.

So far, the protests could be confirmed in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Babol, Ardabil, Qom and Najafabad.

In addition, an Iranian source is reporting protests and clashes in Arak.

1510 GMT: Mousavi's Nephew Dead. A "close aide" to Mir Hossein Mousavi has confirmed the killing of Mousavi's nephew Seyed Ali by security forces this afternoon.

1500 GMT: Understatement of the Day. Press TV takes the gold medal: "The Iranian capital on Sunday witnessed sporadic anti-government protests on the anniversary of the Shia Muslim Ashura religious event."

Sporadic?

1420 GMT: Parleman News is reporting that Seyed Ali Mousavi, Mir Hossein Mousavi's nephew, was shot and killed in today's demonstrations. Mousavi was reportedly slain in Enghelab Square around noon local time (0830 GMT).

1350 GMT: Rouydad News is reporting clashes in Tabriz, with "probably at least four" killed.

1330 GMT: The Official Interpretation. Islamic Republic News Agency writes that a "cult of Mousavi" has caused chaos in Tehran, damaging public property and inconveniencing citizens.

IRNA also tries the story of a group of students out to cause trouble, with foreign media on hand to report "uproar and chaos".

Fars News reports on same lines,

1245 GMT: Taking the Streets? We have been busy looking at and uploading footage, starting a second set of vide0s, of the demonstrations. The images indicate that, at least for periods today, protesters have beaten back security forces --- despite the first deaths in months --- and taken control of sections of Tehran.

Rah-e-Sabz, still under cyber-attack, has reported, "Police forces are refusing their commanders' orders to shoot at demonstrators in central Tehran....Some of them try to shoot into the air when pressured by their commanders."

1135 GMT: Reports now of protests in Babol.

1130 GMT: Still a fluid situation with reports of gatherings and clashes throughout Tehran and in other cities. We have posted the first set of videos from today, including dramatic footage of protesters fighting back against security forces, especially at College Bridge (Pole Kalej). One report claims the forces relinquished Val-e Asr Square to demonstrators.

1025 GMT: Reformist websites are now confirming the 4th death. Reliable sources says a 5th person has been killed outside Amir Kabir University.

0955 GMT:  4th Death? Sources are reporting that a person has been killed in demonstrations at Vali-e Asr.

0950 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz confirms that its site is under attack.

0940 GMT: Mardomak confirms no live footage from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, unlike past years, of Imam Hossein Square in Tehran.

Meanwhile, Ironic Journalism Award of Day goes to Press TV. After showing ceremonies in Zanjan (but not Tehran), the channel reported very seriously that Moharram marches have been banned in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

0930 GMT: We've posted the first claimed video of today's protests and also the link to a useful map of Tehran.

0925 GMT: Beyond Tehran. Reports now coming in of protests in Isfahan, Shiraz, and Najafabad.

0915 GMT: Deaths of Protesters? Rah-e-Sabz (which is up but is difficult to access because of overload) is reporting three people killed and two injured in the area near Kalej Bridge (Pole Kalej).

0830 GMT: We are watching carefully the torrent of claims of clashes across the capital, including claims that security forces have backed away at certain points in the face of determined protesters. BBC has now posted, "Tehran police 'fire tear gas at opposition protesters'."

0815 GMT: Mardomak reports tear gas fired in Enghelab Square and clashes in Imam Hossein Square. After clashes at Amir Kabir University, the crowd has been dispersed.

0810 GMT: Rah-e-Sabz, before it went down, also reported tear gas at Vali-e Asr.

0805 GMT: Fancy a Lighter Moment? It promises to be an intense day, so if you need a break, have a look at our special world exclusive, based on minutes of investigative journalism, "The Top-Secret Obama-Ahmadinejad Relationship".

0755 GMT: Watching reports of clashes at Imam Hossein, Vali-e Asr, and Enghelab Squares.

0745 GMT: The reformist site Rah-e-Sabz, a key source in recent days for "Western" media, has just gone down. The site had just reported tear gas used in Enghelab Square and the closing off of Vali-e Asr crossing.

0740 GMT: Mardomak is reporting clashes at Ferdowsi Square and heavy traffic around Pol-e Choubi.

0715 GMT: First unconfirmed reports of clashes in Tehran, mainly at Imam Hossein Square and 17 Shahrivar Street.

0711 GMT: Nothing to See Here, Go Away. Press TV still repeating the history and religious background of Ashura over and over, against live shots from Taft. Just keep talking --- even though nothing new is being said --- and maybe no one will notice the current political context and events.

0700 GMT: Press TV are carrying live shots of the Ashura ceremony in Mashhad and Taft. No word of Tehran, however.

0655 GMT: The reformist website Rah-e-Sabz reports an "extensive security presence" in Tehran, noting in particular forces around Imam Hossein and 7 Tir Squares.

0640 GMT: Drama and Polemic. We've posted stunning footage of yesterday's attack on the Jamaran memorial.

And we've finally caught our breath to highlight our analysis of the embrace of the "Iranian people" by American "false friends", trying to use the movement to extend US power in the name of the "new birth of freedom".

0625 GMT: A hat-tip and a heads-up for coverage of events. While we were down because of host problems yesterday, we noticed the good work being done by the LiveBlogs of The Daily Nite Owl (EA correspondent Josh Shahryar) and of IranNewsNow. Both are already in action this morning.

0605 GMT: AUT News reports that, in addition to the disruption of the Jamaran memorial and the speech of former President Mohammad Khatami by plainsclothes "thugs" (see yesterday's updates), 2000 Basiji surrounded the mourning ceremonies at Dar al-Zahra last night.

Ferehsteh Ghazi has a detailed report, in Persian, of the events and violence at Jamaran. Robert Mackey's blog for The New York Times draws from several sources for a summary.

0600 GMT (0930 Iran time): The holy day of Ashura, marking the death of the third Imam, Hossein, at the hands of Yazid's forces at the battle of Karbala, has begun. Government forces reported "in large numbers at all intersections from Enghelab to Azadi Squares" in Tehran.

Comments

[florence achard]

Ange paris, hossein, whereismyvote .....

Have you seen this terrible video and do you know more about it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeWyx_sDsMg

[Hossein]

Dear Florence Achard,

Thank you. My sentiments and those of millions of Iranians who are fed up with lies and deceit and the culture of death, exactly.

The video you indicate is of a public hanging in Sirjan (southeastern Iran), where people who are fed up again with the regime's horrible practice of hangings in public areas rush in and bring down the poor men hung from the gallows. I am not making a judgment about guilt or not of the poor men, but I will say this: people are fed up with goo many hangings, many of them on trumped up charges and some for political reasons. What you see on the video indicates the reaction cooped up for 30 years and is gushing out. This same type of reaction to central authority is seen today everywhere in Iran all of it as reactions to 30 years of deceit and torture and rape and killings. People want the same thing as people everywhere, they want justice and equal opportunity upheld by justice for each and every citizen to pursue life and to be free and to be happy. As simple as that. All of these have been denied by the IRI, but now 30 years of pressure is exploding and will bring down the IRI with it. I know for sure that the process unfolding i Iran will have an impact all over the ME and in all Islamic countries, it will be a new movement with potential for change from despotism to the rule of law, and from the culture of death to the culture of life. We all want to embrace life and to live freely. As simple as this sounds it has been denied by a small yet ruthless gang of thugs who have ruled Iran and have killed us and tortured us and raped us. No more! We of course need your support in any way you can. Inform your friends of the realities in Iran. Inform them that we don't want to nuke anyone, especially not Israel, nor do we want to throw anyone into the sea. We respect all people because we for once are now respecting ourselves. We are after 30 years of being controlled and kept in ghetos defined by the ruling thugs now tasting what it means to be free and to desire justice, and we know we must fight for it. The IRI is a ruthless regime of killers and thugs and rapists, you can help by informing y our friends, y our politicians, y our educators, and all not to support them. Not to invite them to conferences, nor to economic summits, nor to any gathering of civilized people. Just look at what they are doing to our citizens of all ages on the streets—watch the videos and read the few sources where truth comes out. Avid government media such as the England-based Press TV, etc. In form your countrymen that some of the western as well as Iranian "pundits" who come on TV and denounce the Green movement and support AN are wrong, and some are agents. Please please form your own opinion by reason and observation of the facts as they unfold.

My wish for the New Year is what I uttered to my friends on the longest night the start of Winter, or the night of yalda (we believe it to be the night of the birth of the sun = Mithras), namely that Iran be freed from the evil that has gripped it in its claws for 30 years, and for us to then bring about a just and democratic state where the culture of "death to!" is replaced by that of "love to!" and so to revive our own essential unity with all humans, to live in peace and to be happy. The end of darkness and of anguish, and so light beckoning us all. PEACE.

[Samuel]

Mr. Hossein,

"Remarks such as:

So you are converting to Zoroastrianism or Zionism? Why not both?

are without value. When you study a subject you don’t “convert” to that subject, but that is too much to wish for."

What you call a snide remark was simply a joke BUT one meant to highlight an important point regarding your comment about Hezbollah. Your statement went well beyond the usual one about the treatment of the jews and became a full blown acceptance of the Zionist project, a project built entirely on stolen Palestinian land. Your statement was an affirmation of Zionism and I labeled it as such. A project, let us emphasize which is rejected by millions of people in and outside the region.

The second point was simply to correct an error and to point you to the early Safavid era. No joke or snide remark there.

Regards,

Samuel

[Samuel]

"Disagree. What we have today is the fruit of a tree we allowed to be planted by force by Mohammad army 1400 years ago. CIA was not around those days."

It's all the Arab's fault, all the Arab's fault!!! Megan, You are getting pretty good at holding back and not engaging in your usual insults towards Arabs. I can almost feel how difficult it is for you, it must be like a smoker trying to quit.

[Bozorg]

Samuel,

Seeing as you're such a staunch advocate of racial unity, what do you make of your pal AK's anti-Semitism?

"From the very beginning, the historical movement of Islam has had to contend with the Jews, for it was they who first established anti-Islamic propaganda and engaged in various stratagems, and as you can see, this activity continues down to the present. Later they were joined by other groups, who were in certain respects more satanic than they." p.27 Khomenei "Islamic Government" Islam and Revolution

"We see today that the Jews (may God curse them) have meddled with the text of the Qur'an and have made certain changes in the Qur'ans they have had printed in the occupied territories. It is our duty to prevent this treacherous interferences with the text of the Qur'an. We must protest and make the people aware that the Jews and their foreign backers are opposed to the very foundations of Islam and with to establish Jewish domination throughout the world. Since they are cunning and resourceful group o people, I fear that - God forbid! - they may one day achieve their goal, and that the apathy shown by some of us may allow a Jew to rule over one day. May God never let us see such a day!" - p.127 Khomenei, "Islamic Government" Islam and Revolution

It's all the Jew's fault, the Jew's fault!!! What chutzpah.

[Hossein]

The anti Semitic remarks are horrible and totally against the very core of humanity and must be eradicated. Period.

[Samuel]

"Seeing as you’re such a staunch advocate of racial unity, what do you make of your pal AK’s anti-Semitism?"

It is there I don't deny it and it is unfortunate. I believe it really references SOME jews in the past which is undeniably true and Zionists in the present day. Islam as we know is the least racist religion in the world. The early muslims eagerly welcomed non-Arabs to the faith and in a few years Turks, Persians and Indians (all non-Arabs) came to dominate the community. Ahmadinejad or the Supreme Leader for that matter could be a convert from Judaism and it would not bother me or anyone I know in the least.

Historically jews did find a better home among Muslims than among Christians (who until not too long ago accused the jews of killing the founder of their religion) and the Imam did not attack the jews while he was in power.

[Megan]

Samuel,

You cannot stop yourself to have a conversation with me. You are not worth the time. I have no respect for a person whose opinion is bought and paid for.

I see some readers trying to reason with you. I hope they stop because there is no hope for you. Your head is screwed backward you cannot see what is in front of you. You and your bosses are yesterday story. I have expressed my feeling where I want you and your mullah friends and bosses to go. So now go….

[Samuel]

Megan,

"You cannot stop yourself to have a conversation with me. You are not worth the time. I have no respect for a person whose opinion is bought and paid for."

I'm not quite sure why you think I would want your respect but it is interesting that someone who obviously has nothing but hatred for Islam ("a tree we allowed to be planted by force by Mohammad army 1400 years ago") nevertheless supports the idea of using a religious ocassion to try to overthrow a govt she diagrees with. I do think you are more honest than most when it comes to the green leaders.

[Hossein]

It is late, night is turning to day, I am tired but very optimistic as I see around me genuine people who desire freedom and are fed up with lies and with the culture of death. So too we are fed up with the cronies of the IRI who are nearing their end. Megan is so right and bravo to her. Be brave and keep up the hope and spread the truth.

[Adam]

Yep Samuel, no massacres... after June the killing stopped right? Or maybe the killings never happened, just like your master Ahmadinejad says the Holocaust never happened?

[Samuel]

"Yep Samuel, no massacres… after June the killing stopped right? Or maybe the killings never happened, just like your master Ahmadinejad says the Holocaust never
happened?"

Of course the Holocaust happened stop writing nonsense. Did Khomeini ever deny it, has Khamenei? No and No.

Do you feel vindicated now because you can finally take the word out of your pocket without sounding bizarre? Go ahead, enjoy.

As I've already written the govt. does have a real problem with riot control and it is mostly of a technical nature. There should be no need to resort to live ammunition.

I suggest that the security forces implement three steps immediately:
First it is clear that the tear gas being employed is not exactly state of the art. The green mobs are not being affected quickly enough. Either a more concentrated form must be used or one that blends tear gas with any type of military grade pepper spray.

Second it is inexplicable that the security forces are not equipped with either plastic or rubber bullets to deal with crowd control. These are very effective and minimize the need for hand to hand combat. Used correctly they would take down the rioters easily. Of course they are non-lethal.

Third, the police should consider the use of trained snipers with small caliber scoped rifles. Nothing is more effective in diffusing a tense situation than a few well placed rounds below the waist directed against riot leaders. Again non-lethal and only if the first two measures prove inadequate which is unlikely.

[Kevin Scott]

Speaking of pretty comical things being said with a "straight face", I offer this assessment of Ashura from our friend Dr. Sayed Mohamed Marandi of the University of Tehran, from an interview with him today:

"Initially after the elections a lot of people in Tehran did believe there were irregularities in the poll, but after a period of time when Mousavi was unable to provide any form of evidence, that belief gradually disappeared. The opposition is very much fragmented now and those people that you do see demonstrating are a [remaining] segment of the reformist movement. Other segments of the movement have distanced themselves from Mr Mousavi over the last few months.
For example a reformist faction in parliament no longer supports the Green Movement as it stands today. The group that rallied yesterday [Sunday] was extremely violent and extremely small."

"They [the protests] are largely being orchestrated from abroad, they are orchestrated from television networks that are being beamed in from the United States and Europe. The important thing is that initially the protests against Mr Ahamdinejad were more homegrown, but gradually the pro-American opposition, the opposition supported from outside the country, began to have a greater role."

[Kayvon]

megan ,,
At least I have the bravery to name myself properly,, what are you then ? a man ? a woman ? an Iranian ? what a name ?
I dont know why you all think that me being a journalist means that I want to show superiority to you ,, this is never so ,, If I didnt know Sscott is in the UK is because I never had enough time to read his history which is not relelant to what he is doing anyway ,,
By what you have said, I come to the conclusion that you dont know what happened in 1953 and how it happened ,, if you did you would not think as you do ,, about Scott and his mates, I must say that although I do respet them and even thanked them but the question still remains wehter you want to agree or disagree ,, in Birmingham and all over UK every one is down in the pub now,, so just tell me how is it that few British lads are taking so much trouble and time to do this for me and you ? Do you know that one of my post last night that had a comment about David Miliband was deleted from this site by the EA ? why ?
why did they delet Milibands comments on 1953 ?? you tell me why ,,
Besides,, Ahmadinejad being good or bad, supreme leader being good or bad,, is all our problem and our situation and must be solved by ourselves only ,, wh do we have it debated by EA ? what profit do they get out of this ? dont you think that it is somehow kind of unusual for a British guy to have become a point of referrence for us Iranians ,, considering that we all know that Iran suffered most from Britain during the past 150 years ,,
finally, every one is welcomed to express their opinion ,, Iranians shout out for years for democracy and the rule of law but it surprises me that do not accept any opinion if not in lined with theirs ,, lets learn to honor every ones opinion and live with it ,, this is called democracy that every one wants but no one knows ,,

[Scott Lucas]

Kevin,

Who conducted the interview?

S.

[Kayvon]

It was an interview with the BBC Farsi service last week ,, I have the script but its in Farsi ,, dont know how you can find its Englsih version but I could give you the high lights of it if you want ,,

[Kayvon]

Sorry Scott
I thought you meant me ,,

[Kevin Scott]

LOL, pretty funny. We have a Kayvon and a Kevin posting comments, not to mention a Kevina and some Scotts ;-)

To EA Scott, I'm a little too sleepy to see if I can dig up a link, but it was definitely Al-Jazeera.

[Scott Lucas]

Kayvon (and Kevin),

Much appreciated...

S.