Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEHRAN, Iran – On March 17, Iranian police arrested fifty individuals. The arrests came during clashes between opposition supporters and police in Tehran during a new year festival called The Feast of Fire. This festival comes on the even of the Persian new year, but religious leaders told Iranians that celebrating this year was “un-Islamic.” Despite the warnings, people took the streets leading to conflict throughout the Iranian capital.
Tehran’s police chief confirmed that there a number of clashes between young Iranians and police officers across the capital. Opposition leaders, however, told their supporters that they did not want a protest during the festival.
The BBC’s correspondent in Tehran, Jon Leyne said that there was no indication that these clashes would lead to a larger political purpose. Leyne explained that the clashes were more a show of defiance against the demands made by the religious authorities.
March 17 marked Chaharshanbeh Soori. Held on the final Wednesday before Norouz (New Year), the day celebrates the coming of spring and dates back to a time when Iran was Persia and Zoroastrianism ruled. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told reporters that the event created “a lot of harm and corruption which is why it is appropriate to avoid it.” Khamenei told reporters that the festival had no basis in Sharia law and amounted to heretical fire worship.
Opposition leaders told supporters not to protest during the festivities and to not to provoke security forces. Despite the requests, clashes took place in several parts of Tehran, according to opposition website Jaras. Additionally, videos posted on the internet showed clashes between protesters and security forces. There were also reports that security forces marked the vehicles of individuals who were actively celebrating the Chaharshanbe Soori festivities.
Iran’s deputy police chief, Ahamad Reza Radan, told the press that fifty people had been arrested for causing “an unacceptable level of nuisance to the public.”
Large protests have been held in Iran since June 2009’s Presidential Election. Opposition protesters insist that the election was rigged to ensure the re-election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The Iranian government has vehemently denied this charge.
For more information, please see:
ABC News – Party or Protest? Fiery Night in Iran – 17 March 2010
BBC – Iranian Police Arrest 50 People at Traditional Festival – 17 March 2010
CNN – Iranians Celebrate Holiday Under Police Crackdown – 17 March 2010
