Iran empowers ‘butcher’ to interrogate opposition leaders
Quote:
Saaed Mortazavi, an Iranian prosecutor who was responsible for ordering over 100 newspapers closed and dozens of bloggers and journalists arrested, tortured and in some cases, killed, has been empowered to interrogate Iran’s opposition leaders, according to published reports.
Mortazavi’s frightful history has earned him two distinct nicknames: “Butcher of the press” and “torturer of Tehran.”
“The leading role of Saeed Mortazavi in the crackdown in Tehran should set off alarm bells for anyone familiar with his record,” said Human Rights Watch Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson, according to a a Times Online report.
Iranian publication al-Bawaba added: “In 2000, Mortazavi led a crackdown against the Islamic Republic’s domestic opposition, ordering the closure of over 100 newspapers. Four years later he detained more than twenty bloggers and journalists, holding them in unknown locations.”
Mortazavi was also responsible for the arrest, torture, rape and death of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian photographer. Additionally, he oversaw the arrest and prosecution of Roxana Saberi, an American journalist, earlier this year. Kazemi and Saberi were both accused of espionage.
“I have no doubt that these protesters will be treated just as brutally as Ms. Kazemi, maybe worse,” said Shahram Azam, a doctor who, in 2005, testified to a Canadian court that Kazemi had been tortured. His remarks were carried by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail. “Ottawa should strongly object and demand his immediate arrest. With him in charge, we can be sure that torture and death will happen again.”
The Times noted: “[Mortazavi's] name has appeared on the arrest warrants of prominent reformists rounded up since the unrest started, such as Saeed Hajarian, a close aide of Mohammad Khatami, the reformist former President. With more than 600 people now having been arrested, including dozens of journalists, many fear the worst.
flyupsidedown
So, what are we saying now about president la-la-land dreamily expounding his plan to glad hand and rub the back of Iran's hitler to win the mullahs over, and live happily ever after. Can you see why now how ridiculous his foreign policy was and why conservatives are concerned he is making foolish decisions?
He can definitely talk the talk. It is something quite different to then be able to walk the walk. This is the problem conservatives have with this man. Just because he can sound eloquent setting up the infrastructure of fascists mechanisms doesn't mean we should lie down and smile while he steam rollers over political debate.
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Why not hit Adolph Ahmedinijad where he is most vulnerable? Gasoline. Iran is floating in a lake of crude, but they don't have the refining capabilities to produce gas. They have to import 40% of their gasoline now. Why try to "talk" Iran out of their nuclear ambitions? There are plans in the works at this time to disrupt the importation of gasoline to Iran. If it all comes together, Ahmedinijad will have to decide whether he wants gas to keep his country running or nukes for weapons purposes. And the legislation to set this all in motion has already passed out of the House Appropriations Comm.
flyupsidedown
Sounds like a good idea to me. It's best to always hit'em where it hurts. It would be a good measured sanction hopefully one that the world community will support. Somehow I don't think sweetness himself, Ahmedinijad, will be too happy about it though. It is time to rachet up the pressure however. Obama will just have to play act like a real man of principle, like G. Bush, and walk like a Texan. A little less pimpin and a little more bad *ss, in your face, American superpower swagger. That ought to do it.
The power of 100 bucks is in the spending. The power of being a world superpower is in flexing your muscle and being able to get things done on the world stage for the betterment of humanity. Holding hands and singing kumbaya just won't do it.
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Fly--Iran is getting gas now from the Swiss, Dutch, French and Indian govts. In 2007 the U.S. Export/Import Bank made two loan guarantees to Reliance Industries,India for a total of 900 million dollars to subsidize the operation of the Jamnagar refinery. They previously made an agreement to supply Iran with 100,000 ton monthly shipments of gas, only 10% of Irans monthly internal consumption. The legislation I mentioned before is to stop subsidizing the Jamnagar Refinery. "IF" it works and the Swiss, Dutch, and French follow suit, this could work plus it would put more petroleum on the world market. If, as you put it "Sweetness" himself is looking at a sanction that will shut down his country, he will play ball. He won't be able to try to get China or Russia to supply his gasoline needs because they have to import themselves. I agree with you 100%. It is time to let the adults start calling the shots now because Obama is in way over his head. And as for North Korea, nuke em till they glow if they want to act like spoiled little kids. Think about this if you will, I'm interested in what you think about this.
flyupsidedown
N Korea has a specal place in my heart after I read and researched the hell those people have had to endure at the hands of the family monsters that have run that nation. Kim's father had christians laid on the road and steam roller over them as they sang hymns. They were the lucky ones compared to those in the death camps. The populace has been so heavily indoctrinated to hate Americans from birth it is almost impossible to think we could win the hearts and minds of this generation. We are evil itself in their minds. Kim needs to be taken out covertly or hit his home. His father started a state religion called Juche (Joo'-cheh) where the father is Like God the father, his son is like Jesus and the spirit of Juche or self-reliance is like the Holy spirit. The military centers should be destroyed along with the hardliners themselves. The populace are like abused children. They would be drawn back to these evil men because it is all they know. We would need to overwhelm them with humanitarian aid. Nothing like a full stomach and shelter to change your politics. Pyonyang should be opened to the masses as any crippled, infirm or too old are forbidden to live there.
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Fly, you present a very good defense for the poor abused people of North Korea. They are not the enemy, Kim is. But I don't think we can afford to take him too lightly. I am interested to see how deranged Kim's son is. But if the situation did ever arise for the Korean people, not the hardliners, to be shown some compasion and humanitarian aid, do you think China would try to get in the way?
