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Iran seizes 2,000 protesters, satellite dishes as unrest spreads

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Sunday, October 28, 2001

NICOSIA Ñ Iran has launched a massive crackdown on dissidents and satellite dishes in response to the embarrassing outbreak of nation-wide unrest in support of the United States and democratic reform.

More than 2,000 Iranians were arrested over the weekend in connection with violent demonstrations in several major cities. In addition, Iranian authorities have moved to stop the relay of information from opposition groups to the Islamic republic.

Iranian authorities have confiscated more than 1,000 satellite dishes as part of an effort to stop access to television channels used by the opposition, Middle East Newsline reported. The channels are based in the United States.

In the weeks since Sept. 11, the only major spontaneous pro-U.S. demonstrations have taken place in Iran where popular dissatisfaction with the government of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammed Khatami has become widespread.

"Iranians have now concluded that whatever happens, no one will help them," said Dr. Assad Homayoun, president of the Azadegan Foundation. He said the U.S. decision to include Iran in a coalition intended to isolate the Taliban in Afghanistan could have the short-term effect of strengthening the regime in Teheran which has been a leading state sponsor of terrorism.

Washington-based sources said Iran's loss in a soccer tournament last week with Bahrain provided an opportunity for street demonstrations in several major cities.

The state-owned Iran daily said about 150,000 satellite dishes are expected to be confiscated. The operation would be the first time authorities have enforced a 1995 ban on satellite dishes.

Unrest has reportedly increased since the Sept. 11 suicide attacks on New York and Washington. Police have broken up demonstrations in solidarity with the United States.

The unrest became violent after Iran's soccer team won another tournament with the United Arab Emirates. The fans attacked government buildings in Teheran and the government-sponsored Islamic vigilantes, torched police cars and chanted slogans against the Islamic republic.

The riots then spread to other Iranian cities, including Abadan, Isfahan, Kerman and Mashad.

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