Source: Radio Zamaneh

Protesters in Tehran on December 7. Despite arrests and repeated threats, people continue to protest defying the authorities. (see high resolution)

Today, a day after the widespread arrest of protesters during National Student Day events, Iran's Prosecutor General Gholamhosein Ejei threatened protesters and their families in a press conference. He told families of protesters that from now on, once protesters are arrested, "families won't be given the right to complain."

Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejei

He added that "people's" tolerance with these "disturbances" has reached its limit and the judiciary will no longer allow "a group of people to repeatedly disturb public order and destroy private and public property everyday."

The Prosecutor General claimed that in the post-election events the judiciary has been "lenient" in dealing with the protesters but "will not be so from now on." He added the security forces have held back in order to identify the "enemy front," and now that the lawbreakers and the enemy front have been identified, the Islamic Republic will "confront anyone who moves against the rights, security and order of society fiercely."

5000 students protested at Azad University in Qazvin on December 7
(see high resolution)

In the government crackdown on protesters of Ahmadinejad's allegedly fraudulent victory, security forces have caused the death of tens of people. Over four thousand people have been arrested. Detainees have been reportedly tortured and abused.

Human rights groups within the country as well as the international community have condemned the Islamic Republic's violent confrontation with the protesters.

Basij and security forces side-by-side attacking the protesters (see high resolution)

The Prosecutor General also emphasised that Mehdi Hashemi, son of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Expediency Council should return to Iran and Tehran Prosecutor should deal with the charges brought up against him. Mr. Ejei claimed that people in power should not impede the course of justice, insinuating that Ayatollah Rafsanjani is protesting his son.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani who has sided with protesters in disputing the elections has become the target of attacks from the conservative faction of the government.

Mehdi Rafsanjani is currently in London and has announced that in case of any official lawsuits against him he will return to Iran to face the tribunal.

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