Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Crackdown on pro-reform leaders as security forces raid Mousavi's office

Saturday 18 September 2010 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Security forces have raided the office of Iran's top opposition leader and seized computers after days of intimidating visitors with a heavy force presence around the building.

The raid on Mirhossein Mousavi's office on Wednesday night points to a stepped-up campaign to harass the leaders of the country's besieged and dispirited pro-reform movement.

Relentless crackdowns over the past year have driven opposition activists from the streets after an initial outpouring to protest against the June 2009 presidential election, which they say was fraudulent.

Earlier this month, pro-government mobs attacked the home of another opposition leader, Mahdi Karroubi, with homemade bombs and beat a bodyguard unconscious.

Security forces have been deployed around Mr Mousavi's office for several weeks, said the report on the Kaleme website. The head of Mr Mousavi's office, Hamid Mohseni, was arrested on Monday, it said. Mr Mousavi was not in his office when it the raid took place.

Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi are the two pro-reform candidates who ran against President Ahmadinejad in 2009. Mr Mousavi said he was the rightful winner of the vote, and tens of thousands of Iranians poured into the streets to challenge Mr Ahmadinejad's re-election and ultimately the ruling system itself.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in