Mousavi and Karoubi forced out of Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery

On Thursday, July 30th, Iranian opposition leader, MirHosein Mousavi, was forced out of Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery where he was to join some of the families of the recent victims of nationwide street protests in marking the 40th day of their passing. Although he managed to get out of his car and reach the grave of Neda AghaSoltan, the young woman whom upon being shot to death on the streets of Tehran has become the face of resistance against the recent atrocities, Mousavi was prevented from reciting the Quran. Reportedly anti-protest police forced Mousavi back into his car. Mourners tried to surround his car but armed forces dispersed the crowds and forced Mousavi’s car to leave the scene. Hundreds of people were injured and some were reportedly arrested.
Two prominent Iranian filmmakers, Jafar Panahi and Mahnaz Mohamadi, were also arrested in Behesht-e Zahra. Panahi is the creator of several award-winning films such as Circle and White Balloon. Mohamadi is a women’s rights activist whose film Women without Shadow won several awards abroad. The two filmmakers were at the cemetery to lay flowers upon the graves of the victims but were arrested and taken to an unknown location.

Karoubi prevented from joining mourners


Mehdi Karoubi, the other protesting candidate of the recent elections, was also surrounded by police and forced out of Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery on Thursday July 30th, announced the French News Agency. Reportedly over two thousand mourners threw rocks at these forces and chanted the slogan: "Today is the day of mourning, the true Iranian is in mourning!"