[Iranian] Parliament calls for arrest of Moussavi, two other opposition leaders

[Barack_America]

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Iran's parliament has asked authorities to arrest "the main instigators and directors" of Sunday's violent anti-government protests, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported Wednesday, the same day massive pro-government rallies were held in Tehran and other cities.

Legislator Hassan Noroozi named three people he said "must be arrested": Mehdi Karoubi, Mir Hossein Moussavi and Fa'ezeh Hashemi. Karoubi and Moussavi are opposition politicians who challenged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June's elections. Hashemi is the daughter of the former reformist president, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

"They must not remain on the sidelines and be safe," Noroozi said. "Those who issue statements and invite people to create chaos in the streets and attack one another must be dealt with according to Islamic laws."

In Sunday's protests, at least seven demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces, although the Iranian government has denied that its security forces killed anyone.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/30/iran.rallies/

---

This was followed by this tweet from Mousavi's official Twitter account:

mousavi1388
#iranelection In case of the arrest of any of the Green movement’s leaders, take to the streets in Tehran: Enghelab to Azadi. Tell everyone.
about 3 hours ago from web

http://twitter.com/MOUSAVI1388


Many experts have predicted that the arrest of Mousavi or Karroubi would likely set up the major showdown between the regime and green movement supporters. This story is one to watch.

[demoleft]

1. we're on the verge of something there. just a step forward and it's chaos. n/t

[Barack_America]

2. Yes.

I am both terrified of and hopeful for what will come of this.

These people are so inspiring.

[nyy1998]

3. Hopefully this doesn't turn into a 1989 Tinamenen Square repeat

Either way, this is the story that will dominate the first couple of months of 2010.

[kirby]

6. It very well might

And the Repubs will blame Obama for not standing by the freedom fighters! LOL

[David__77]

11. Conditions are less favorable than for the Chinese protesters.

In Iran, there is a considerable level of active political mobilization for the existing order; that was largely lacking in China.

[iandhr]

9. its not chaos already?

[janx]

4. Parliament calls for arrest of Moussavi, two other opposition leaders

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Iran's parliament has asked authorities to arrest "the main instigators and directors" of Sunday's violent anti-government protests, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported Wednesday, the same day massive pro-government rallies were held in Tehran and other cities.

Legislator Hassan Noroozi named three people he said "must be arrested": Mehdi Karoubi, Mir Hossein Moussavi and Fa'ezeh Hashemi. Karoubi and Moussavi are opposition politicians who challenged President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June's elections. Hashemi is the daughter of the former reformist president, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

"They must not remain on the sidelines and be safe," Noroozi said. "Those who issue statements and invite people to create chaos in the streets and attack one another must be dealt with according to Islamic laws."

In Sunday's protests, at least seven demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces, although the Iranian government has denied that its security forces killed anyone.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/30/iran.rallies/index.html

---

More at link

[janx]

5. This may be an idle threat.

They seem to be testing the limits! ;-)

[bloomington-lib]

7. Im probably way off but I wonder if this is a wierd way

of protecting him. Earlier today in the NYT they wrote "An ominous online threat in the name of a previously unknown group said suicide squads were ready to assassinate the opposition leaders should the judiciary fail to punish them within a week."

Mousavi becoming a martyr would only bring the green protests to a whole other level. By arresting him, they can keep him from getting killed and prevent martyrdom. Release him at a more convenient time for them or banish him to another country.

[janx]

8. If anything happens to Mousavi, the opposition will rally even

more intensely. I understand your point, but this has reached a critical level.

[David__77]

10. I doubt the mass movement can defeat the state there.

The chances would lie with a military coup. I don't know the state of the military. If it is pro-Islamic republic, then this would not end well, probably.