Citizens Protest Ahmadinejad's Inauguration
August 5 -- Amid a heavy presence of riot police and Basij militia, hundreds of people protested outside the Iranian parliament as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in for his second four-year term as Iran's president. One witness told Radio Farda "the plainclothes agents, who used to be conspicuous among the crowd, were dressed as young protesters today so they could arrest people more easily than before" [read in Persian / read in English].
Daughter of Noted Activist Beaten, Arrested
August 5 -- The 56-year-old daughter of Nationalist-Religious political alliance leader Ezatollah Sahabi was arrested during the protest at the Iranian parliament. According to one activist, police sprayed tear gas in the faces of people who tried to prevent her arrest. "Witnesses saw that Sahabi's head was bloody in the car, which took her to an unknown place." [listen in Persian].
Prominent Reformists Face Trial
August 2 -- Iran's leaders consider any non-violent attempt at political change a "velvet revolution," so "no one can try to bring about change in this country without them calling it illegal," a Paris-based political activist told Radio Farda [read in Persian]. A Tehran-based analyst said Iran's leaders are blind to reality if they think they can suppress a protest movement by calling millions of demonstrators a "riot by several hundred people" [read in Persian / read in English].
Memorial Ceremony Raided by Police
July 30 -- Police clashed with mourners at the grave of Neda Agha Soltan as thousands gathered to commemorate slain election protesters in Tehran Cemetery. "When police approached people in the cemetery, women joined hands to form a chain to guard them," one witness said. Additional demonstrations took place throughout Tehran and in the cities of Rasht, Ahvaz, Esfahan and Shiraz [read in Persian / read in English]
Protesters Suffer Inhumane Conditions
August 2 -- Kahrizak Detention Center in southern Tehran can scarcely be called a detention center, a Tehran-based lawyer told Radio Farda. "Some of my clients who were kept there said Evin Prison is paradise in comparison to Kahrizak." One activist said the center was established two years ago, and "some of the thugs detained in Kahrizak then are now guarding those who have been arrested during post-election protests" [read in Persian].