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Iran blocks Facebook just before presidential elections
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by Nauman Umair Khan | May 25, 2009 at 01:25 am
766 views | 64 Recommendations | 6 comments
Islamic Republic of Iran, a theocratic state, has blocked user access to the renowned social networking site - Facebook.
The Iranian government has blocked access to the social networking site Facebook amid political jockeying for the June 12 presidential elections, according to the semi-official Iranian Labour News Agency.
This move seems to be a direct response to President Ahmadinejad's opponents using technology to reach voters.
Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi -- a former prime minister considered a threat to current hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- created a Facebook page for his campaign that has more than 5,000 supporters on the site.
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Iran blocks Facebook just before presidential elections
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Those seeking access were denied access with a message in Farsi (Persian) saying, "Access to this site is not possible".
Those attempting to visit Facebook received a message in Farsi saying, "Access to this site is not possible," according to CNN personnel in Tehran.
ILNA (Iranian Labour News Agency) reported this move as a joint venture of Iran's intelligence ministry, judiciary and others.
ILNA reported the Masadiq Committee, made up of representatives from Iran's intelligence ministry, judiciary and others had ordered the action.
According to ILNA, no reason has been given for the block.
After a few hours, the blockage was lifted, but was then reinstated, ILNA said. No reason was given for the block.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (6)
at 02:49 on May 25th, 2009
Thank you for the post on this news.
at 05:59 on May 25th, 2009
You're welcome, Paschen.
at 04:45 on May 25th, 2009
Its blocked on the countries IP address at a guess
at 00:03 on May 26th, 2009
nothing surprises me about Iran these days.
at 08:53 on May 26th, 2009
Apparently, Facebook has been un-banned in Iran:
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
at 11:16 on May 26th, 2009
Thanks for the update, Jordan.