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Civil disobedience on the rise throughout Iran
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, June 30, 2006
LONDON — Iranian opposition sources have reported a sharp increase in civil unrest
throughout the country. The sources said Iranian authorities have
encountered labor strikes, protests and ethnic clashes over the last month.
"The growth in number of uprisings in the Azeri provinces was such that
hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets," Muhajadeen Khalq,
the leading opposition force, said on June 28.
Muhajadeen reported more than 480 demonstrations, strikes, protests, and
clashes throughout Iran in June. In a statement, the opposition group said
the unrest rocked such cities as Kerman, Mashhad, Qom and Teheran.
In most cases, Mujahadeen said, Iranian police and security forces
responded harshly to labor strikes and protests. The group said clashes
ensued between protesters and security forces in which civilians were
severely beaten and injured.
In June, Iran has handed down 35 death sentences in an effort to quell
unrest. Muhajadeen said 27 people have already been killed and 5,800 people
were arrested.
The opposition group reported more than 1,250 incidents of protest and
insurgency activity from March 21 through June 21. Many of the clashes
stemmed from ethnic tension, particularly from the huge Azeri minority.
"The situation in Sistan and Baluchistan, Kurdistan, Khuzestan, and
Kerman are very critical and the leaders of the Iranian regime from top to
bottom are introducing different measures to combat the threats," Mujahadeen
said.
Copyright © 2006 East West
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