THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: 10:00 PM CET
Joint Statement From the International Coordination and Response Group for the Victims of Flight PS752 on Arbitration
The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 today issued the following joint statement:
“We, Ministers representing Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, have taken concrete action today to ensure that our efforts to hold Iran to account for the unlawful downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (Flight PS752) can progress to the dispute settlement phase.
“In particular, we have requested that Iran submits to binding arbitration of the dispute related to the downing of Flight PS752 by 2 surface-to-air missiles launched unlawfully and intentionally by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defence unit pursuant to Article 14 of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation of 1971.
“The Coordination Group remains committed to pursuing efforts to hold Iran accountable for its multiple breaches of its international legal obligations pursuant to several treaties. This action is part of our broader approach to ensuring there is transparency, justice and accountability for the victims and their families.”
UPDATE: 7:30 PM CET
Iran Uprising at a Glance – Day 104
Based partially on reporting by PMOI (MEK) Network in Iran
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 – 8 PM GMT+1
- Days: 104
- Protests: 282 cities
- Fatalities: 750+ estimated deaths, 601 identified by MEK
- Detentions: 35,000
On 104th day of the nationwide uprising it is worth noting that while ceremonies held in memory of those lost have been a tradition in Iran for centuries, the Iranian people have been using long-respected practices as gatherings to launch protests against the mullahs’ regime. Such events, known to be scenes of mourning, are witnessing brave Iranians chanting anti-regime slogans to voice their hatred about the mullahs, specifically targeting regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and renewing their pledge to overthrow the regime in its entirety.
On Wednesday in the city of Bahmai in Kohgiluyeh & Boyer Ahmed Province in southwest Iran, local investors took to the streets demanding answers from the Puyesh investing company regarding their lost and/or stolen savings.
December 28 – Bahmai, southwest #Iran
Investors of the Puyesh company held a rally demanding answers regarding their lost/stolen savings.#IranRevolution2022#مرگ_بر_ستمگر_چه_شاه_باشه_چه_رهبرpic.twitter.com/PuIWgOl6ZT— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 28, 2022
In a village near the city of Mahabad, locals gathered to mark the 40th day of Mehran Rahmani’s murder by the regime’s security forces. Rahmani was killed on November 18 when regime security forces opened fire on protesters in this city.
A similar ceremony was held in the city of Bukan, also in northwest Iran, where locals gathered to mark the 40th day of Shahriar Mohammadi’s murder by the regime’s oppressive security forces. Also in Bukan, locals held a gathering marking the 40th day of Ghafour Moludi’s murder by the regime’s oppressive security forces and began chanting: “Martyrs don’t die!”
December 28 – Bukan, northwest #Iran
Locals gathered to mark the 40th day of Ghafour Moludi's murder by the regime's oppressive security forces began chanting: "Martyrs don't die!"#IranRevolution2022#مرگ_بر_ستمگر_چه_شاه_باشه_چه_رهبر pic.twitter.com/7b6B1fhxQa— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 28, 2022
In Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, locals have been reporting a major shortage of diesel fuel in gas stations for many days now. This crisis is crippling the country’s fleet of trucks.
In Ilam, western Iran workers of the local petrochemical site went on strike today protesting the expulsion of one of their colleagues, Arash Tabarrok, that led to him committing suicide.
In Saqqez, and Sanandaj western Iran, locals continued their protests and strikes in support of those who’ve had their businesses shut down by the authorities.
December 28 – Sanandaj, western #Iran
Locals are on strike and continuing the nationwide protests against the regime on the 104th day of the uprising, support of locals who've had their businesses shut down by the authorities.#IranRevolution2022#اعتصابات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/z5y9avHxln— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 28, 2022
In Tehran merchants and storeowners in the capital’s Aladdin district closed and went on strike, protesting the extreme currency fluctuation on the country’s national currency, the rial.
In Arak, central Iran, protesters targeted and set ablaze a large communications tower.
Arak, central #Iran
Protesters attacked and set ablaze a large communications tower.#IranRevolution2022#مرگ_بر_ستمگر_چه_شاه_باشه_چه_رهبر pic.twitter.com/KGifAFP82U— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) December 28, 2022
UPDATE: 1:30 PM CET
Senior Officers Are Quitting on The Leader, IRGC Commander Warns
In an interview with the state-run Tabarestan TV on December 27, Hamid Abazari, an advisor to the IRGC commander-in-chief and the former deputy of Imam Hossein Military Academy, admitted to increasing stress and defection among IRGC leaders and Khamenei’s inner circle.
“Today, we can see those great people and elites who are ceding,” Abazari said. “I want to address them. Given all the titles you carry with you and all the respect your family has, why don’t you speak up? Don’t you see what they are doing to our state? Don’t you see their words? Don’t you see how they are insulting the leader? Stand up and speak out! You are among the elites, for God’s sake! You have benefited from this state. When the day has arrived to defend the state, why are you silent? Why are you silent? Why don’t you speak up? Are you afraid to lose your followers? Are you stuck with reservations about those who follow your lead? Yes, some are crippled by these issues. Some of them were noble people.”
“Don’t you see who is surrendering? I’ve seen many people defecting. I’m an IRGC officer and I don’t know what comes next. I’ve seen great people quitting. Even some of my own superiors. Those who fought in the war and were wounded. These people defied our values, defied the leader and the state.”
UPDATE: 8:30 AM CET
Iran Sees More Mourning Ceremonies Evolve Into Anti-regime Rallies
Iran’s nationwide uprising is marking its 103rd day on Tuesday following a day of various ceremonies by people in different cities in memory of people killed by the mullahs’ regime during the past 100 days. These ceremonies quickly evolved into anti-regime rallies with people chanting slogans specifically targeting regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Protests in Iran have to this day expanded to at least 280 cities. Over 750 people have been killed and more than 30,000 are arrested by the regime’s forces, according to sources of Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). The names of 601 killed protesters have been published by the PMOI/MEK.
A Spree of Kidnappings in Ekbatan, One of Tehran’s Hotbeds of Protest
Ekbatan township has always been a hotbed of anti-regime protests in Tehran. During 103 days of protests since mid-September 2022, plainclothes agents and security forces have repeatedly raided Ekbatan and made violent arrests. The clerical regime has desperately resorted to the execution of protesters and mass arrests and kidnappings to quash the protests. Some eyewitnesses have reported plainclothes agents raiding people’s residences in Ekbatan and kidnapping people after midnight without providing identification papers or arrest warrants.
False Charges for Reza Rasai Bring Him Closer to Execution
Reza Rasai, a 34-year-old man from Sahneh County, Kermanshah Province, western Iran, had participated in recent nationwide rallies. He joined supporters of a Kurdish spiritual leader, Seyed Khalil Alinezhad on November 18, 2022, to commemorate his anniversary. The peaceful gathering was violently attacked by the Revolutionary Guards-IRGC, followed by Iran’s intelligence forces. The IRGC’s Intelligence Chief of Sahneh County, Nader Beirami, was killed in the attack. He then went to Karaj, close to the country’s capital, and was arrested on November 24, 2022, in relation to the incident. Iran’s Judiciary has charged Reza Rasai with Moharebeh. It is also holding this young man responsible for the killing of Nader Beirami. The state has also condemned Mr. Rasai for acting against national security and attempting to escape from the police.
Iranian Resistance Supporters Held Rallies in Support of the Iran Revolution and Honoring the Martyrs, in London and Rome—December 24, 2022
December 24, 2022: December 24, 2022: Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) on the eve of Christmas, attended churches and gathered in London and Rome to commemorate the martyrs of the nationwide Iranian Revolution. They also expressed their solidarity with the Iranian people’s uprising.
Also, read Iran News in Brief – December 27, 2022
