Brutal repression continues in Iran

Independent:

Fresh unrest broke out on the streets of Iran yesterday when opposition protesters defied a ban on public gatherings and police fired shots in the air to disperse them.

Nearly a month after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was returned to power in disputed elections, provoking the worst upheaval since the 1979 Islamic revolution, an uneasy calm has returned to the capital. But that was broken as hundreds of people gathered at Enghelab Avenue near Tehran University to commemorate the anniversary of student uprisings in 1999.

The authorities had threatened to "smash" any protests, with the Tehran Governor, Morteza Tamaddon, warning that if any individuals "listen to calls by counter-revolutionary networks, they will be smashed under the feet of our aware people". But demonstrators, some wearing green masks, chanted "Death to the Dictator", made the victory sign and shouted in support for the defeated presidential candidate Mirhossein Mousavi.

It was a small showing by comparison with the massive protests which drew hundreds of thousands on to the streets last month but it was a warning to Iran's rulers that they have not fully quelled the discontent.

They took the precaution ahead of yesterday's march of suspending mobile phone coverage while text messaging has been cut off for several days and the universities closed.

In the event, those who turned out were confronted by baton-waving police, tear-gas and Basiji militias on motorbikes. The security forces were deployed at the main intersections around the university and chased the protesters whenever they attempted to regroup, witnesses told the Associated Press. A group of around 200 protesters gathered on Valiasr Street, one of Tehran's key arteries, and they too were scattered by tear gas.

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Iran's rule by religious bigots is much to fragile to survive freedom of expression and freedom to seek redress of grievances. Why the people might rise up and reject a religious dictatorship. For that reason beating demonstrators is called for by the bigots in charge.