Syria Interview: The Life of an Activist on the Run (Fischer/Zeitouneh)

You are a respected Damascus lawyer. And yet you are wanted by the Syrian secret police. Why?

The wanted list is very long these days; many of my friends have been arrested or are in hiding like me. The regime is arresting activists, but also ordinary people in large numbers. Many are tortured to break their spirits. The “ordinary” prisoners are released, so they tell of their fate and spread fear. Those with a leading role in the protests remain in custody. 

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Iran Feature: The Intimidation of the Regime (Baji)

"Yasaman Baji", an Iranian journalist in Tehran, writes for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting:

The Iranian security forces stepped into action to prevent opposition protesters coming out onto the streets and hijacking the annual anti-Israel demonstration last week.

The last Friday of Ramadan is designated Quds (“Jerusalem”) Day in Iran, and is used by the regime as a ritual show of anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment.

Last year, however, the opposition Green Movement took advantage of the officially-sanctioned presence of crowds on the street to make their own appearance, to the consternation of the government. They challenged official policy on the Palestinian cause – normally a taboo subject – by shouting, "No to Gaza, no to Lebanon, may my life be sacrificed for Iran."

This year, the intelligence agencies were ready, and took action to forestall any public appearance by the opposition.

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