The mullahs' regime dispatched a large number of its Guards Corps forces to the scene to crush the protest. In the ensuing clashes, many workers were wounded and scores arrested. The factory is currently shut down.
In recent days, thousands of people have staged protests in Kermanshah, clashed with the State Security Forces and damaged a number of government buildings. In the past two days, large groups of Intelligence Ministry agents and armed Guards have been patrolling the streets and an undeclared martial law prevails in the city.
On Friday, May 15, hundreds of people in Mashhad (northeastern Iran) staged a demonstration by sitting on the streets and chanting antigovernment slogans. The regime sent in the Guards to disperse the crowd.
Following widespread arrests in recent weeks in Isfahan and Najafabad, the clerical regime announced today that a group of individuals "involved in the turmoil in Najafabad," have been arrested and "a number of government employee have been fired."
An official of the Guards Corps also said: "A number of people were arrested for setting ablaze the vehicle of a regime official on fire. We have seized explosive materials that was being transferred from one shop to another."
In a meeting with Friday prayer leaders today, Mohammad Khatami endorsed the repressive measures in Isfahan and Najafabad and said Khamenei's message disappointed illwishers and the enemies.
The Guards Corps has stationed its forces in the two cities' streets and squares and a de facto curfew is in place. In pervious days, Khamenei and other officials of the regime had identified the Mojahedin and supporters of Montazeri as being responsible for the unrest in Isfahan province.
Increasingly concerned over the spread of popular uprisings, in recent days, the ruling religious, terrorist dictatorship has resumed the announcement of execution verdicts in its media. During the last three days, the state radio and television have reported at least six execution verdicts. This action is only intended to intimidate and terrorize the public.
Today, the head of Tehran's so-called Islamic revolutionary courts said that 150 cases against "bandits and counter-revolutionaries" had been reviewed last year and that the accused were tried and received various sentences, such as executions, internal exile and life imprisonment. In the years past, Khomeini's anti-human regime has executed thousands of political prisoners under the guise of "bandits and counter-revolutionaries."
The Iranian Resistance draws the attention of the world community to escalation of the regime's repressive policies, especially the arrest of the people in Isfahan and Najafabad, and the rise in the number of public executions. It also calls on international human rights organizations to intervene immediately to save the lives of those arrested.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
May 18, 1998
Back Home