Iran news in brief, February 11, 2018

Iran news in brief, February 11, 2018

1- Iranian Protesters in Paris Calling For Regime Change

On February 8, thousands of Iranians rallied and marched in Paris to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iranian people's uprising against the Shah's dictatorship.

The march started in Paris’s Denfert Rochereau Square and ended at Les Invalides in front of the French National Assembly. The protesters condemned the continuing human rights violations in Iran, increasing terrorist plots of the regime, and the regime’s continuing missile and nuclear programs. They supported the social movements and protests by the Iranian people against the mullahs’ dictatorship.

A message from Maryam Rajavi, to the demonstrations was shown on the widescreen. She said, with the overthrow of the Shah’s corrupt dictatorship and his regime of torture, his true successors, namely Khomeini and Khamenei, took over the helms. Now is the turn of the mullahs to be overthrown.

2- Two Sunni Iranian political prisoners go on hunger strike in Gohardasht prison

Two Iranian political prisoners of Sunni faith went on hunger strike in protest to torturing of prisoners and their transfer to solitary confinement. Seyyed Towhid Ghoreishi and Hamzeh Darvish, the two prisoners, are currently being held in solitary confinement in Gohardasht prison, Karaj.

On Thursday, prison guards raided the hall where Sunni prisoners were incarcerated and attacked the prisoners. Eight prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement. At least six of the prisoners have been severely wounded, but prison officials have returned them to their wards without any medical care. Ghoreishi and Darvish are still in solitary.

3- Iran: Security forces attack women’s prison

Security forces of Qarchak Prison in Varamin, southeast of Tehran, cracked down on the inmates of this women’s prison on Thursday night local time, using tear gas and pepper spray. Wards 1 and 2 came under a vicious attack and reports indicate these attacks continued into Friday.

Many female prisoners have reportedly been severely beaten and are in need of medical care.

This raid began when the inmates of Ward 1 and 2 requested authorities provide medical care to one of their cellmates, protesting the prison officials’ neglect. The prison guards attacked the wards following this protest.

4- U.S. Ambassador To Germany Says Mechanism To Trade With Iran ‘Disrespectful’

The U.S. ambassador to Germany says the European mechanism designed to facilitate trade with Iran and avoid U.S. sanctions is "disrespectful" to Washington’s policies.

Ambassador Richard Grenell said in an interview published on February 10 in the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the financial mechanism, called Instex, is counterproductive to President Donald Trump's efforts to force Tehran back to the negotiating table over its nuclear program and other matters.

Grenell labeled U.S. policy as the "Trump Doctrine," explaining that "we use the strongest possible sanctions, while at the same time offering talks to see if that changes the behavior of certain states."

5- Iraqi Shiite Militia Detains Commander Who Criticized Iran

An official with the Iraqi government-sanctioned umbrella of mainly Shiite paramilitary groups says a militia commander was arrested after he criticized Iran's influence in the country.

The official from the Popular Mobilization Forces said on Friday that Aws al-Khafaji, commander of the Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas Brigade, was detained the previous night.

Al-Khafaji had earlier told a local TV station that Iraqis should not only oppose American and Turkish presence in Iraq but also Iran's interference.