Monday, August 17, 2009

Etemad-e Melli Closed Down

The authorities in Iran have "temporarily" closed down the country's leading reformist newspaper, Etemad-e Melli. The paper is a publication of Ayatollah Mehdi Karrubi's Etemad-e Melli party.

The police is trying to disperse people who are gathering in front of the newspaper's office in Tehran. Chants of "Marg bar Dictator" (Death to Dictator!) are being heard.

UPDATE: Police are throwing tear gas to disperse demonstrators gathered in front of Etemead-e Melli office. There are reports in Twitter that people are being attacked by Basij and plain clothed police. Also reports of many being arrested.

UPDATE: The authorities closed down the paper's printing facilities just before it was to publish a statement by Mehdi Karrubi on his allegations that protesters were raped while in custody.


Tehran. Karim Khan Zand Blvd. 17 August 2009. Chants of "Khamenei Qateleh, Velayatash Bateleh" (Khamenei Murderer, Not Leader Anymore!)



Tehran. Karim Khan Zand Blvd. 17 August 2009. Chants of "Marg bar Dicatator" (Death to Dictator!)

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