Iranian police beat up mourners at ceremony for Neda Soltan

Times Online (U.K.) ^ | July 30, 2009 | Martin Fletcher

[Schnucki]

Baton-wielding Iranian riot police arrested mourners and drove away opposition leaders as they tried to stage a ceremony in a Tehran cemetery to commemorate protesters killed in anti-government demonstrations last month.

Ignoring Islamic customs and traditions, the security forces beat and detained many of the 2000-odd people who came to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period at the grave of Neda Soltan, the young student who has become an icon of the opposition movement.

When Mir Hossein Mousavi, the movement’s leader, arrived at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery on the baking plains south of the capital, he was mobbed by supporters who chanted “Mousavi we support you” and “Death to the Dictator”.

Foreign journalists are banned from Iran, but witnesses said the former prime minister managed to leave his car and walk up to Ms Soltan’s grave before the police stopped him. “Mousavi was however not allowed to recite the Koran verses said at such occasions and he was immediately surrounded by anti-riot police who led him to his car,” said one.

The police then had to push back a large crowd gathered around Mr Mousavi’s vehicle so he could leave.

Later Mehdi Karoubi, another defeated presidential candidate, arrived. Witnesses said he was swiftly surrounded by police. Mourners pelted the security forces with stones and shouted “Today is a mourning day.”

Shiite Muslims traditionally mark the 40th day since someone’s death with a ceremony called Arbayeen. The opposition had hoped to hold the event in a vast prayer complex called the Grand Mosala, but the regime banned it. Mr Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, the candidates defeated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in last month’s hotly disputed election, instead accepted an invitation from Ms Soltan’s mother to visit her grave.

[Schnucki]

[Tuketu]

... and another headline read “Over 100 protesters killed in prison” - I don't think it will be long now, the Axxatollahs have a revolt on their hands. I also liked John Bolton's headline, “Don't be surprised if Israel attacks Iran before the end of the year” (And what is taking them so long?)

[Niuhuru]

Monstrous, but the mere fact that the people gathered shows they have no more fear of anything, even being beaten. They knew what would happen and still endured it. That is what it takes to gain freedom and mean it.