NCRI – Since 5:30 am (local time – Iraq) on Friday, June 5, rapid deployment forces of the Iraqi police at the entrance of Ashraf, blocked the road and entrance to Ashraf. They blocked entry of goods and people to the Camp and intensified the suppressive siege of Ashraf. Eight members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) who were at the entry point of the Camp were threatened by arrest and death.
At 9:30 am a fully equipped anti-riot unit entered the scene and some units of Special Operations Brigade of the Ministry of Interior moved towards Ashraf around noon. Ashraf residents have gathered behind the entrance gates since 6:00 am. The weather in the Camp was around 50 degrees Celsius at 11:00 am. The entrance to Ashraf as of 13:00 remains to be closed with police vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns.
"International Committee of Jurists in Defense of Ashraf", and "International Committee in Search of Justice" announced that the US Forces should assume the responsibility of protection of Ashraf residents and the Government of Iraq should declare its compliance with the European Parliament resolution of April 24 on the "Humanitarian Situation of Ashraf Residents." Siege of Ashraf is an illegal act. It is in violation of written guarantees given by the Iraqi Government to the U.S. on the humanitarian treatment of Ashraf residents and its adherence to international treaties and conventions. The White House announced Iraqi Government’s commitments last December.
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, has called on President Obama and Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, to intervene in this matter.
Suppressing the Iranian opposition is a gift to the mullahs in the run up to their Presidential "elections" at the climax of the clerical regime's internal feuding and war of attrition of various factions which surfaced during the debate between Ahmadinejad and Moussavi.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
June 5, 2009