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Leading Mousavi Supporter Arrested as Iran Bans Foreign Media

by Rob Walker | June 16, 2009 at 05:24 am

216 views | 31 Recommendations | 4 comments

One of Iran's former vice-presidents, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, was arrested by officials of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's regime on Tuesday. Only hours before, Iranian government officials cancelled all foreign media accreditation and banned journalists from the streets.

Around the same time, at least seven people were killed near a rally in Tehran, and doctors and nurses have joined the protest at a major hospital in the city. This follows several days of massive protests and rallies in Iran, where some became violent, seven people died and many arrests were made.

Further protests and demonstrations are planned throughout the day on Tuesday, as conflicting reports continue about the presence of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi, pro-government militias and other players.

Twitter has remained the instrument of choice for people reporting the protests, but blocked internet and cell phone coverage in Iran has made it difficult. Early Tuesday morning Facebook reported people having problems with access in Iran.

rumors of Ex General Rezayi (1of the candidates) now using what left of his connections to prevent IRG's main army from interring Tehran.

all hackers pls down vezarat ershad web traffic - heavy interception today - problems

wear black and avoid clashes with plain cloths -

The Culture Ministry said journalists could continue to work from their offices but that it was cancelling press accreditation for all foreign media.

"No journalist has permission to report or film or take pictures in the city," a Culture Ministry official told Reuters.

Abtahi, a former vice president was arrested Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday that seven people died near the site of a rally in Tehran. Press TV also said several people were wounded when "thugs" tried to attack a military post.

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Paschen

at 05:43 on June 16th, 2009

It does not sound good nor does it seem to have a chance of getting better.

@robotsoul (not verified)

at 07:07 on June 16th, 2009

Twitter has really turned into something unexpected. I think that the free flow of ideas naturally trends toward democracy, but to see social media used for revolution so early into its creation is pretty significant. Aiding this process is that fact that the mainstream media, specifically CNN, failed so miserably at getting this story out, check it out: http://www.newsy.com/videos/cnn_out_twitted_on_iran

Pythiian1

at 13:35 on June 16th, 2009

Twitter is currently under maintenance until 3PM Pacific time (2:30AM in Iran) There's a warning by two of the twitter members that the government is also engaged in passing incorrect information and to debunk Mousavi's supporters' reports.

On NP, Truemorist posted a piece on Ddos attack, BoingBoing