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Iranian rally organiser backs down
 [Bangla Daily Star] One of the organisers of a mass rally in Tehran backed down yesterday after authorities threatened a harsh response, but it was unclear if people would stay away as riot police were deploying onto the streets. The reformist Combatant Clerics Assembly said "permission was asked to hold a rally, but since it has not been issued, there will be no rally held."But an aide to defeated candidate Mehdi Karroubi, who had earlier said his supporters planned to go ahead with a rally, later said he was unsure whether they would demonstrate or not. The interior ministry said no rally anywhere in the country was authorised and warned that "those who violate this will be confronted according to the law." At the same time, police said the organisers of any future rallies would be arrested, with the police chief saying firm action would be taken against any demonstration. Following those warnings, witnesses said hundreds of riot police were deploying to Enghelab Square, where the rally was to have taken place. An aide to Karroubi had told AFP early on Saturday that a rally would be held at 4:00 pm (1130 GMT), but an hour beforehand there were no reports of any people massing to demonstrate. Early on Saturday afternoon, Mousavi's newspaper website said he would soon make an "important" announcement, but did not elaborate. However, powerful former president and Mousavi supporter Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani denied reports that he too was to issue a statement. Mousavi was singled out by the head of Iran's security council on Saturday for a specific warning. "Your national duty tells you to refrain from provoking illegal gatherings," Abbas Mohtaj, who is also deputy interior minister, said in a letter to him. "Should you provoke and call for these illegal rallies you will be responsible for the consequences," he said. Posted by: Fred 2009-06-21 |
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