TEHRAN, IRAN—A group of Iranian expatriates have joined forces with the Green Movement in order to facilitate communication among the group’s members amid fierce government control of internet inside Iran.
According to an opposition website, the group is contemplating their next move and are planning additional public protests against the cleric led government.
Ardeshir Amir Arjemand, a spoksperson for Mousavi, stated on an opposition website “"Dictators should know that our fight is not going to end. God willing with courage, coordination and perseverance our next steps will be firmer and harsher."
A conservative columnist with close connection to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated the government’s efforts to quash the anti-government movement have been a failure. “"It shows that the government’s method of dealing with unrest has failed to bring results," wrote Foad Sadeghi on Ayandeh news website.
In a latest blow to Ahmadinejad’s government, a 25 year veteran of the foreign ministry left his post at the Iranian Consulate in Milan to join the opposition group based in France.
Ahmad Maleki and his family arrived in France where he plans to apply for political asylum. Maleki is the fourth high ranking Iranian diplomat to abandon his post abroad over disagreement with the Iranian government’s handling of the protesters.
The veteran diplomat told RFE/RL “there are "many others in the [Iranian Foreign Ministry] who are unhappy with the government." He further said “"following recent incidents in Iran and people [leaving the Foreign Ministry], the upcoming events will take us toward victory."
According to reports, at least one person was confirmed dead as a result of Sunday’s uprising. A large number of protesters were arrested by the Iranian security forces and taken to various undisclosed detention facilities.
Throughout Sunday, the government forces were deployed in full force all around the capitol city of Tehran. The Azadi square which has come to symbolized freedom remained under tight government control.
During Sunday’s march, the crowd was heard chanting “death to Khomeini” and “death to dictator”.
Students clashed with the security forces at Tehran University, according to eyewitnesses.
The Iranian government has barred foreign journalist from covering the demonstrations. The government has also limited public’s access to internet and cell phones.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the opposition group are under house arrest and are prevented from communicating with the outside world.
The local government controlled media downplayed Sunday’s events by stating the unrest was insignificant and the country remained clam.
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