On Friday, 6/19, Iran’s supreme leader flat out rejected vote fraud claims, reiterating President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was the winner of the election. During his speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attempted to send a clear warning to protesters:
“I want to tell everyone these things must finish. These street actions are being done to put pressure on leaders but we will not bow in front of them,” he said.
“Those politicans who somehow have influence on people should be very careful about their behaviour if they act in an extremist manner.
“This extremism will reach a sensitive level which they will not be able to contain. They will be responsible for the blood, violence and chaos,” he added, warning that “terrorists who could assassinate the Basij (militia) or the police” might hide among the demonstrators.
The Ayatollah also made the statement:
The legal structure in this country does not allow vote-rigging
As I understand it he is right, as he is the ultimate individual who decides everything within the government. Why bother rigging the vote when he could simply put in anyone he wants.
Despite the call for the protests to stop supporters of Mousavi are expecting to hold another large rally. Supporters of Ahmadinejad expected to hold a counter-rally. I could see how such a situation would turn into a volatile mix – especially since the government said to expect violence.
Oh, and Khamenei has a message for Mousavi – either accept the disputed results of the recent elections or leave the country for exile. Nice huh? Imagine what would have happened if that was said here.
The supreme leader is also claiming outside forces are to blame for the current situation:
“After street protests, some foreign powers … started to interfere in Iran’s state matters by questioning the result of the vote. They do not know the Iranian nation. I strongly condemn such interference,” Khamenei said.Is there really anything wrong with questioning authority, and is the simple act of questioning interference? No. Khamenei is trying to place the blame for the current situation elsewhere.
Finally, do you want a perspective that you haven’t read about up until this point? Do you want to know what it would be like to be a protester who was arrested? If so, you need to read what happened to a Canadian journalist who was arrested as a suspected protester. Really, you must read this.
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