‘Iran opposition chief completely cut off’

Mir Hossein Mousavi, the main Iran opposition leader whose rebellion against the government has rocked the Islamic republic, is now completely cut off from the outside world, his website reported yesterday.

Kaleme.com reported that Mr Mousavi’s previous guards have been replaced by new ones and that a van containing masked men was parked at the entrance to the street in Tehran where his house is located.

“The house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard (his wife) which began on 25th of Bahman (February 14) is fully effective as of 27 Bahman (February 16),” Kaleme.com reported.

“With the limited communication they had now cut, there is no information on their situation and health. Mr Mousavi’s guards have been replaced by security forces. It is unclear who these security forces are linked to.”

It said the road to his house, which is in a dead-end, has been blocked by a van.

“This van contains people wearing masks. Whenever someone comes to the entrance of this alley, those inside get out and question them,” it said, adding that Mr Mousavi’s daughters have been unable to visit their parents.

“The security tells them that they are implementing house arrest on orders from the prosecution, but no papers (authorising this) have been shown,” the report added.

Kaleme.com said “security agents” were widely deployed, with “even the street sweepers secretly taking pictures of people coming close” to the house.

It said that “in the past days several attacks were made around their homes by pressure groups,” adding: “How is it possible to commit such acts in an area with high security because of a number of special administrative buildings?”

The website said there were concerns about the health of the Mousavis, that they were being given food by the new security personnel, but that it would be hard to receive future statements from him.

“His statement on 26 Bahman (February 15) was his last communication and it now seems that only the security forces know. They are responsible for his and Rahnavard’s health,” Kaleme.com added.

It said the Mousavis “had difficulties in communicating” generally over the past six or seven months.

“During this time Mousavi was allowed to visit only his sick father and attend some limited meetings... it was only through his persistence and initiative that it was possible for him to meet some families of political prisoners and Green Movement martyrs.”

The latest Kaleme.com report comes after judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani warned on Thursday that the communication network of Mr Mousavi and fellow opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi would be blocked.

Earlier yesterday, hardline cleric and head of the powerful Guardians Council Ayatollah Ahmad Janati called for them to be completely isolated.

They faced renewed restrictions after urging their supporters to stage a rally on Monday which turned into clashes with security forces in which two people were killed.