UPDATE, MAY 29:
An Iranian appeals court has upheld prison sentences for 11 women’s rights activists, with terms ranging from one year to more than nine years.
The punishments are part of the regime’s crackdown amid the Woman, Life, Freedom protests from September 2022.
The women are Zohreh Dadras (9 1/2-year sentence), Forough Saminia (6 years), Sara Jahani (6 years), Yasmin Hashdari (6 years), Shiva Shahsiah (6 years), Negin Rezaei (6 years), Azadeh Chavoshian (6 years), Zahra Dadras (6 years), Matin Yazdani (6 years), Jelveh Javaheri (1 year), and Houman Taheri (1 year).
The activists were seized by security and intelligence forces in August 2023 in a crackdown ahead of the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, who passed away in police custody after she was detained and reportedly beaten by “morality police” in Tehran.
“Sources close to the activists” said they were subjected to “intense interrogation and physical abuse”, with pressure to confess to “fabricated deeds”.
See also Iran Updates: 11 Women’s Rights Activists Given 1 to 6+ Years in Prison
ORIGINAL ENTRY, MAY 26: Mashallah Karami (pictured), who campaigned unsuccessfully for clemency for his executed 22-year-old son, has been given a six-year prison sentence.
The elder Karami was condemned by a Revolutionary Court in Karaj near Tehran on charges of illegally organising gatherings and collecting donations. His lawyer Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani said the verdict has “flaws” and will be appealed.
Mohammad Mehdi Karami was executed in January 2023 amid the nationwide “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini — seized and reportedly beaten by “morality police” over “inappropriate attire” — in custdoy. He was accused of the killing of a Basij militiaman.
Mashallah Karami posted videos on social media pleading for his son’s life to be spared. After the execution, he posted footage of Mohammad Mehdi’s grave and of relatives and other supporters in mourning.
He has been deta9ined since he was arrested in August 2023.
Relatives of other detainees, including those facing death, and of protester killed by security forces have been harassed, intimidated, and threatened with arrest.
Hadi Ghaemi, director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, summarized:
The sentencing of Mashallah Karami, the father of an executed protester in Iran, to six years in prison is a stark illustration of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ruthless repression against families seeking justice.
Amnesty International reported this week that at least eight detainees remain at risk of execution over participation in the protests. It noted that authorities had “severely violated their fair trial rights and subjected many to torture and other ill-treatment, including beatings, electric shocks and sexual violence”.
Amnesty added that the nine people executed in protest-related cases so far, including Mohammad Mehdi Karami, had all been hanged after “grossly unfair sham trials”.
Khamenei Delivers Cryptic Speech on Upcoming Election
https://iranwire.com/en/politics/130206-khamenei-delivers-cryptic-speech-on-upcoming-irans-election/
Maybe because SL aka “rahbareh farzaneh” nemidooneh che gohi bayad bokhoro(doesn’t know what direction to go that won’t backfire)
Iranian Officer Killed in Suspected Israeli Air Strikes In Syria
https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-irgc-officer-killed-syria/32978552.html
In total, 80 candidates have registered for the presidential election: https://www.irna.ir/news/85495178
The Guardians Council has 7 days to whittle that down to about 10% to allow for equal access to national TV and radio, including the debates. Key figures:
1. Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf
2. Saeed Jalili
3. Alireza Zakani.
4. Mehrdad Bazrpash.
5. Eshagh Jahangiri.
6. Abdolnasser Hemmati.
7. Ali Lairjani
8. Masoud Pezeshkian
I would not be surprised if this is the final list of approved candidates (with one or two exceptions)
“I would add that a turnout of 40-50% in the last three elections is not considered “very low” in the United States but just about average.”
You would say a lot of shit, as usual, it doesn’t mean it is true.
In the second round of majlis election the turn out was less than 5%, and in the first round, the regime couldn’t trumpet its fake numbers above 40%, which in reality the urban area where it was easier to verify people’s participation it was more like ~10–20%
Qalibaf and Jahangiri register for the presidency: https://www.irna.ir/news/85497983
I am surprised that Qalibaf, just re-elected as Speaker, is preparing to run again. That stinks of naked ambition rather than statesmanship. Meanwhile, Mohammed Reza Aref, Khatami’s VP, has said he will not register. Apparently, reformists ignored or criticised him and he did not want to run as an independent: https://fararu.com/fa/news/741580
Nearly 70 politicians have so far registered, among them about 11 reformists.
53% of Iranians are predicted to participate in the forthcoming election at this point: https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1403/03/13/3097219
Presidential election attract more attention than the others do. They also occur at a time of year when the weather is pleasant and there are no floods.
Predicted by whom, your murderous regime?
“While recent Iranian elections have suffered from very low turnouts, opinion polls suggest the participation rate in the upcoming vote may go above 50 per cent. Abbas Abdi, a reformist pollster, said he also believed that turnout would be higher this time as people were developing hopes again that they could influence their future.” https://www.ft.com/content/5fbd12f7-5d4f-46b1-b1ee-5c844e63d851
I would add that a turnout of 40-50% in the last three elections is not considered “very low” in the United States but just about average.
reza aka varhan, “koone khodeto dari pareh mikoni”(busting your ass) with this dog and pony show. But here is the real islamic state of iran:
https://youtu.be/vLUx3FhkimQ?si=Ug_FZKfMFiH3SGmL
Hemmati has registered: https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6123732
Two reformist figures have now successfully registered, Mostafa Kavakebian and now Abdolnasser Hemmati (who ran in 2021).
Jalili and Larijani are among prominent politicians who have also registered.
Most of the 9 candidates who have registered so far are reformists, moderates and independents: https://www.irna.ir/news/85495178
[Editor’s Note: Iranian authorities also set a target of 70%+ turnout in the 2021 Presidential election and the 2024 Parliamentary elections. In both case, the actual official turnout was a record low for the Islamic Republic between 40% and 50%.]
Confirmation that 5 persons have registered on the first day: https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/05/30/726535/Ex-nuclear-negotiator-Jalili-registers-for-Iran-presidential-election-
“Majid Mirahmadi, head of the committee for election security, said voter turnout is expected above 70 percent.”
Iranian authorities have never lied about turnout figures reporting both low and high turnouts alike. In 2009, they event released the individual ballot box results for transparency.
Just 5 persons successfully register for presidential elections on the first day of the process: https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1403/03/10/3095604
This is because of more stringent rules for registration have been put in place that require applicants to present necessary documentation. Among those registering are Saeed Jalili and Mostada Kavakebian, the latter of whom has stated he is prepared to restore ties with the United States.
Iran’s Reform Front confirms it will participate in the forthcoming election if at least one of its preferred candidates (to be decided) is approved: https://www.isna.ir/news/1403031007009
Iran Charges Sister of Slain Protester for Defying Hijab Rules
https://iranwire.com/en/news/130051-iran-charges-sister-of-slain-protester-for-defying-hijab-rules/
Registration for the presidential race begins. The authorities have made it clear that candidates must have basic qualifications in order to register even before vetting can begin: https://www.irna.ir/news/85494004
They need to show that 1) they fall within the ages of 40-75 2) They have at least a master’s degree or equivalent 3) They can prove 4 years management/governmental experience 4) They have no criminal record. Those who cannot provide this will be turned away. 33 persons have so far applied but 30 have been rejected. 3 qualified persons have registered, including Mostafa Kavakebian, the reformist secretary-general of the Democracy party: https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6123108
[Editor’s Note: The commenter omits the outcome of the disputed 2009 Presidential election, in which the Supreme Leader’s office likely pre-empted the “closely-fought” outcome to ensure that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remained in office.]
Ghalibaf re-elected Speaker. As expected, it means he is out of the running for the presidency: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/499160/Ghalibaf-elected-speaker-in-new-parliament
Flashback: According to a UK parliamentary research document on the 2009 presidential election, the authors expected a tight race with Ahmadinejad prevailing: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05084/SN05084.pdf
“Although the contest is closely-fought, President Ahmadinejad is widely expected to win, not least because he appears to have the tacit support of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even if a formal endorsement has not yet been forthcoming. Ahmadinejad can draw on the Government’s considerable resources as well as on millions of votes from the security forces and the Basji, the morality police. In addition, he commands significant support among the devout, the poor and rural voters. Ahmadinejad’s hopes for re-election are further buoyed by the fact that no sitting president has ever lost a race for a second term.”
In my judgment, Iranians voted largely on class and, to some extent, ethnicity. Ahmadinejad won the support of rural voters and the urban working class. Mousavi won the support of the urban middle class and a large section of ethnic and religious minorities.
“Although the contest is closely-fought, President Ahmadinejad is widely expected to win, not least because he appears to have the tacit support of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, even if a formal endorsement has not yet been forthcoming. Ahmadinejad can draw on the Government’s considerable resources as well as on millions of votes from the security forces and the Basji, the morality police….”
To anyone not to be a regime stooge on payroll, this indicates his bogus election.
“In addition, he commands significant support among the devout, the poor and rural voters. …”
So the poorly informed voted for him. You sum it up nicely.
As Saeed Jalili becomes the second candidate to announce their candidacy, the Guardians Council establishes the requirements/qualifications that all candidates must meet to be allowed to run: https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1403/03/06/3093151
Applicants will need to complete this form: https://newsmedia.tasnimnews.com/Tasnim/Uploaded/Document/1403/03/07/140303071017522323017226.pdf
The Guardians Council and Interior Ministry are trying to appear fully transparent about how the registration and vetting process will proceed. A third candidate has announced their readiness to run. Sadegh Mahsouli, who was Interior Minister under Ahmadinejad, is now in the race: https://www.shahrekhabar.com/news/171681582001826
There is talk of Ali Shamkhani, Ali Larijani, Parviz Fattah, Mehdrad Bazrpash, Mohmmad Javad Azari-Jahromi, Mohammed Reza Aref and Abdolnasser Hemmati also joining.