Restraint on the riots and the media continue after the re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran a few weeks ago. The opposition called off a planned rally after being specifically banned by the Interior Ministry.

Opposition supporters are referring to the situation as a coup d’etat, with riot police throwing dozens of reformists into prison every day.

Iranian citizens are speaking out over the government and the riot police, claiming that the election results are not what was wanted, not because of the connection with Islam, but because of the corruption and actions of the riot police/government. For many, it is worse than a dictatorship.

Shirin Behzadi, a university professor, vocalizes his concern. Puzzled at how “the international community just ignores what’s happening”, he goes on to question why the whole world is silent, refusing to help Iran in its battle to retain what democracy it had. Iranian’s Supreme Leader Khamenei has hinted that there will be an even tougher crackdown if the unrest fails to stop.

Britain’s foreign secretary, David Miliband, has expressed “serious doubts” about the official election results. There have been various reports that claim that the real results of the elections are being leaked by certain Interior Ministry officials. These reports are said to show that Mir Hossein Mousavi, the opposition candidate, won a clear majority of the vote, with Ahmadinejad winning less than 30%.

Khamenei has announced that claims of election-rigging should be investigated immediately, placing emphasis on the fact that they should be investigated “calmly”. However, Khamenei has also voiced his opinion about Britain, branding Britain as the “most treacherous” Western power trying to destabilize the Islamic Republic. The Supreme Leader believes that the foreign powers are conspiring together to destroy the Iranian citizens’ trust in their political system and government.

Video footage of the protests, riots and their violent suppression have been uploaded and are available to watch on YouTube. One of the most popular clips shows a huge crowd of protesters being attacked by a band of police on motorbikes.  

With riot police raiding university dormitories and attacking student protestors with tear gas, Mousavi, an opposition politician, has written to the Iranian people encouraging them to keep protesting. Included in the letter is the encouragement to “continue your civil and legal opposition all around the country, in a calm manner and observing anti-conflict fundaments”. The unrest continues.