This post is based on reports from Amnesty International (U.S.A.).
Amnesty International urges concerned individuals to contact Iranian authorities on behalf of Iranians arrested for protesting election results.
Since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner in the June 12 elections in Iran, there have been widespread protests against the contested election results. The Iranian authorities have responded with violence and repression. Reports indicate that large numbers of people were severely beaten by riot police and that several people have been fatally shot Furthermore, over 100 people are reported to have been arrested, including the brother of former President Mohammad Khatami.
Amnesty International notes that:
- Iranian authorities have attempted to stop the flow of information both among Iranians and from Iranians to those outside by blocking cell phone communication, text messaging and email.
- Up to five students, were reportedly shot dead on 14 June when security forces attacked a dormitory area in Tehran; others – possibly dozens – were arrested and many reportedly injured. Amnesty International has received the names of 13 students said to have been arrested.
- There are also reports of people arrested at demonstrations in provincial cities such as Zahedan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Babol, and Shiraz.
The PC(USA)’s partner church in Iran is the Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church of Iran.