IRAN: BBC publishes e-mails describing heavy security in Shiraz, Esfahan
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Because of the restrictions on reporters in Iran, it is difficult to know for certain what is happening outside the capital, Tehran. But the BBC has published e-mails it received from people describing heavy security in Shiraz and Esfahan, two cities that reportedly saw major protests last week in the aftermath of the country’s disputed presidential election.
Mehrdust writes from Shiraz:
Police are almost everywhere in the streets, especially in the places where chaos broke out on Saturday - Mollasadra Street and Eram Street. Every 50m or so you can see a group of between five to 10 guards, sitting on the pavement. There’s been no sign of demonstrations in Shiraz since Saturday. Either people are waiting for something, or maybe they are just too scared.
Hossein writes from Esfahan:
I haven’t been out today yet, but yesterday there were policemen standing by every petrol station and bank. It seems the city is back the way it was - there weren’t any protests today or yesterday that I know of. I think people are waiting for the final announcement of the Guardian Council and the reaction from Mr [Mir Hossein] Mousavi and Mr [Mehdi] Karoubi. At nights you can still hear the sound of people shouting ‘Allah-o-Akbar’ [‘God is great’]. I don’t join in because I think it’s a symbol of Islam and I think the Islamic hardliners are the source of all this misery we are going through.
You can read more messages and watch amateur video footage said to have been taken at protests in Shiraz and Esfahan at the BBC website.
-- Alexandra Zavis in Los Angeles