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Iranian Sets Herself on Fire in Paris
break out the lemongrassAn Iranian set herself on fire Wednesday during a protest in Paris against a major raid at the offices of an Iranian opposition group. The woman, 42-year-old Marzieh Babakhani, was rushed to the hospital after other protesters put out the flames, said Shain Gobadi, of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. Police said Babakhani suffered serious burns to her upper body, including her face, after dousing herself with a flammable liquid and lighting a match. "Koobideh?" "I'd love some, thanks" The Paris demonstration, which drew about 50 people, took place outside the headquarters of France's counter-intelligence agency, known as the DST. It was the third dramatic protest in Europe against Tuesday's crackdown on the Mujahedeen Khalq, which is accused of terrorism by the United States and the European Union. On Tuesday, a 38-year-old man in London set himself on fire during a protest outside the French Embassy. About 50 protesters in Hamburg, Germany, were detained after some entered the Iranian consulate, kicking over furniture. hmm, how'd they get in? During the Tuesday raids outside of Paris, French police detained 159 members of the Mujahedeen and seized several suitcases of hundred-dollar bills amounting to $1.3 million, police said. The sweep came a month after the Mujahedeen Khalq's armed wing was disarmed by U.S. forces in Iraq. The group has fought to topple Iran's clerical regime.
Since when did that become a crime in France? Remember Khomeini? The move against the Mujahedeen also comes as Iran's conservative Muslim government is being rocked by widespread protests calling for greater freedoms and democracy. It was unclear whether the raids, which France said were planned a month ago, were connected to the recent unrest inside Iran. But the crackdown could hinder the group's ability to benefit from any weakening of the Tehran government. Posted by: Frank G 2003-06-18 |
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