Iranian authorities have warned that any "illegal" rally will be fiercely confronted (File)
Iran’s Rafsanjani accuses rulers of intolerance
TEHRAN (Agencies)
Powerful cleric and former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani accused Iran's rulers on Sunday of being intolerant, saying they have closed the door on constructive criticism.
Rafsanjani, one of the main figures in Iran's opposition movement, also called on protesters opposing the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to express their views "within the framework of law."
"The situation in the country is such that constructive criticism is not accepted," Rafsanjani told a gathering of students in the northern city of Mashhad, according to ILNA news agency.
" The situation in the country is such that constructive criticism is not accepted "
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani He urged the Islamic republic's various political factions to unite and work within the law in order to "create a climate of freedom which will convince the majority of people and erase ambiguities."
"Those who demonstrate or protest must express themselves through legal means. Leaders must also respect the law," Rafsanjani said on the eve of the annual Students Day when fresh demonstrations are expected against Ahmadinejad.
"There have always been extremist factions and excessive attitudes on both sides... but several problems will be solved if we adopt the path of moderation," said the cleric.
Ban on media
" All permits issued for foreign media to cover news in Tehran have been revoked from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9 "
Culture Ministry\\\'s foreign press departmenOn Saturday, Iran banned foreign media from reporting on student rallies scheduled for Dec. 7 that authorities fear could turn into a new round of protests against June's disputed presidential election.
Police and elite Revolutionary Guards have warned that any "illegal" rally will be fiercely confronted on Monday when the country marks Student Day, commemorating the killing of three students in 1953 under the former Shah.
"All permits issued for foreign media to cover news in Tehran have been revoked from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9," the Culture Ministry's foreign press department said on Saturday in an SMS text message sent to journalists, photographers and cameramen working for foreign media in Iran.
In the past few days, Internet connections in Tehran have been either very slow or completely down. An official at Iran's telecommunications ministry told Reuters that Internet access and cell phone lines would be disabled on Monday.
When the June 12 presidential election returned hard-line President Ahmadinejad to power by a wide margin, his reformist opponents cried foul and thousands of Iranians took to the streets in the biggest anti-government demonstrations in the 30-year history of the Islamic Republic.
Authorities deny vote-rigging and portrayed the unrest as a foreign-backed bid to undermine the state.
No announcement from reformists
" Street protests on Monday lack the safety demonstrators enjoy in a state rally ... a violent crackdown is expected on that day "
Reformist website MowjcampSo far, defeated candidates Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi have not announced whether they will join the anti- government protests as they have done in the past.
Reformist website Mowjcamp has warned of the possibility of clashes between security forces and demonstrators.
"Street protests on Monday lack the safety demonstrators enjoy in a state rally ... a violent crackdown is expected on that day," said the website.
In September, opposition demonstrators clashed with government backers and police at annual pro-Palestinian rallies.
Security forces also clashed with supporters of Mousavi in Tehran on Nov. 4 during an anti-U.S. rally, used by the opposition to protest against the clerical establishment.
Thousands of reformists, including former senior officials, students, lawyers and activists were arrested after the June vote. Most of have since been freed, but more than 80 people have so far been sentenced to jail terms of up to 15 years and five people have been sentenced to death.
The reformist opposition says more than 70 people were killed in post-election violence. Officials say the death toll was half that and included Basij militiamen.
TEHRAN (Agencies)
Powerful cleric and former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani accused Iran's rulers on Sunday of being intolerant, saying they have closed the door on constructive criticism.
Rafsanjani, one of the main figures in Iran's opposition movement, also called on protesters opposing the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to express their views "within the framework of law."
"The situation in the country is such that constructive criticism is not accepted," Rafsanjani told a gathering of students in the northern city of Mashhad, according to ILNA news agency.
" The situation in the country is such that constructive criticism is not accepted "
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani He urged the Islamic republic's various political factions to unite and work within the law in order to "create a climate of freedom which will convince the majority of people and erase ambiguities."
"Those who demonstrate or protest must express themselves through legal means. Leaders must also respect the law," Rafsanjani said on the eve of the annual Students Day when fresh demonstrations are expected against Ahmadinejad.
"There have always been extremist factions and excessive attitudes on both sides... but several problems will be solved if we adopt the path of moderation," said the cleric.
Ban on media
" All permits issued for foreign media to cover news in Tehran have been revoked from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9 "
Culture Ministry\\\'s foreign press departmenOn Saturday, Iran banned foreign media from reporting on student rallies scheduled for Dec. 7 that authorities fear could turn into a new round of protests against June's disputed presidential election.
Police and elite Revolutionary Guards have warned that any "illegal" rally will be fiercely confronted on Monday when the country marks Student Day, commemorating the killing of three students in 1953 under the former Shah.
"All permits issued for foreign media to cover news in Tehran have been revoked from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9," the Culture Ministry's foreign press department said on Saturday in an SMS text message sent to journalists, photographers and cameramen working for foreign media in Iran.
In the past few days, Internet connections in Tehran have been either very slow or completely down. An official at Iran's telecommunications ministry told Reuters that Internet access and cell phone lines would be disabled on Monday.
When the June 12 presidential election returned hard-line President Ahmadinejad to power by a wide margin, his reformist opponents cried foul and thousands of Iranians took to the streets in the biggest anti-government demonstrations in the 30-year history of the Islamic Republic.
Authorities deny vote-rigging and portrayed the unrest as a foreign-backed bid to undermine the state.
No announcement from reformists
" Street protests on Monday lack the safety demonstrators enjoy in a state rally ... a violent crackdown is expected on that day "
Reformist website MowjcampSo far, defeated candidates Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi have not announced whether they will join the anti- government protests as they have done in the past.
Reformist website Mowjcamp has warned of the possibility of clashes between security forces and demonstrators.
"Street protests on Monday lack the safety demonstrators enjoy in a state rally ... a violent crackdown is expected on that day," said the website.
In September, opposition demonstrators clashed with government backers and police at annual pro-Palestinian rallies.
Security forces also clashed with supporters of Mousavi in Tehran on Nov. 4 during an anti-U.S. rally, used by the opposition to protest against the clerical establishment.
Thousands of reformists, including former senior officials, students, lawyers and activists were arrested after the June vote. Most of have since been freed, but more than 80 people have so far been sentenced to jail terms of up to 15 years and five people have been sentenced to death.
The reformist opposition says more than 70 people were killed in post-election violence. Officials say the death toll was half that and included Basij militiamen.
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