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Page last updated at 15:54 GMT, Wednesday, 17 June 2009 16:54 UK

Iranians blog on election crisis

Iranian bloggers have been commenting on the unrest which has followed disputed presidential elections. Here is a selection of blog entries from the country.

Masud Behnud, journalist, 17 June

"What is happening under the skin of the Iranian society these days? I hope the friends who have the air of the revolution in their nostrils don't make a miscalculation. This isn't revolution, this isn't an upturn of the regime, and it's not a holiday from the law. I even disagree with those who think this is a power struggle and are looking for a hidden agenda."

Seyyed Ataollah Mohajerani, former Culture Minister, 16 June

"[The arrest of Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former vice-president and adviser to presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi] is a sign that there will be more arrests. It is obvious that the system wants to silence the people with an iron fist.

"If some of the million people who moved Iran and the world with their silent rally on Monday participate in Friday prayers and ask for their votes to be taken back with a loud voice, they [the government] will not be able to destroy the Friday prayers or beat the people who will be praying as before."

Ghadir Nabizadeh, 16 June

This blogger said that defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi had no proof of his claims of cheating in the counting of votes.

He called the protesters "rioters", saying they were a group of people who blame the government for anything that happens in the country.

Ehsan Taqadosi, journalist, 15 June

"How can you call tens of thousands of people, who came into Azadi and Enqelab squares on Monday afternoon, without prior invitation by way of mouth, hooligans?

"People are not blind; they can see and understand. Even if the results are as they have been announced, which is unlikely, still, they cannot ignore the opposition's right to complain."

Zareh Bin, 15 June

"These incidents were supposed to happen to show how cruel and bloodthirsty the government is.

"This system will put everyone to the sword to stay in power. It took 30 years for everyone to realise that the Islamic Republic does not respect the people at all and just cares about its own existence.

"The time of reforms is over. It is time for the regime to change. How many more people have to be beaten up or killed for this government to continue its shameful life?"

Unidentified former journalist, 15 June

"One cannot bear to see that Ahmadinejad refers to [the three opposition candidates] as anti-revolutionaries and associates them with America and the Zionists, and calls himself revolutionary.

"These three people have a record of revolutionary activities in the Shah's time and had been imprisoned when the little boy [Ahmadinejad] was playing with marbles. I wonder how a velvet revolution is a crime and treachery against the system, but a velvet coup d'etat is praiseworthy."

Masud Behnud, journalist, 14 June

"Three obvious things happened in this coup d'etat: 1 - The Law Enforcement Force came into control of the entire political power. 2 - People's votes were not respected by the government. 3 - People came into the streets to defend their votes.

"The people's defeat is not just Mousavi's defeat. If we fall down this time as well, who knows when and how we will be able to rise again."

Unidentified blogger, 14 June

"Today the orchestrators of the coup d'etat have removed their masks, today the ugly faces of those who have diverted the 30-year revolution have been revealed to the people, today the dark side of the criminal government which is seeking absolute power has been revealed."

The blogger addressed Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the late Ayatollah Khomeini: "Break your silence and unveil these disgraced people with your unsaid words. Rise and defend the rights of the people of your time from these power maniacs. Raise the green flag of freedom leadership."

Mehdi Mohammadi, political editor of the conservative Keyhan newspaper, 14 June

"Foreign media have been saying since yesterday that a green revolution is spreading across Tehran. They are either trying to defend Mr Mousavi's rights against the government or pursuing their own ends and Mr Mousavi is just a toy or at the most, a player.

"In either case, it is our duty to ask Mr Mousavi to take a look behind him every 10 steps, of course, if he is interested in what is behind him at all."

Mostafa Bakhshi, 14 June

"[Supporters of Mr Mousavi] are moving against the path of the late imam [Ayatollah Khomeini] and if they continue their dangerous game and do not bow to people's votes, they will be dealt a strong blow by the people."



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