Activists Pressured For Slamming Green Movement Leaders' House Arrest

Reformist politicians Mir-Hossein Mousavi (right), and his wife Zahra Rahnavard
Reformist politicians Mir-Hossein Mousavi (right), and his wife Zahra Rahnavard

Several signatories of a letter denouncing the 13-year-long house arrest of Green Movement leaders as "gradual murder" have faced threats from the Iranian regime.

The ministry of intelligence has pressured them to retract their signatures from the letter.

The Green Movement emerged after the disputed 2009 presidential election, demanding the annulment of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election. Its leaders, including Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi, have been under house arrest since 2011 due to their perceived challenge to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's regime.

On Saturday, over 570 political, social, cultural, and civil activists issued a statement expressing concerns about the continued house arrest of these leaders. The Kalemeh website, close to Mousavi, reported that intelligence agents have contacted the signatories, pressuring them to retract their signatures and prepare for possible summons.

Zahra Shojaei, a prominent signatory and former official under President Mohammad Khatami's tenure, affirmed her commitment to the letter despite attempts to coerce her into withdrawing her signature, saying "I have signed this open letter, and I stand by it."

Fazlollah Arab-Sorkhi, another signatory, revealed similar attempts on social media to persuade or compel individuals to retract their signatures.

Although Iranian authorities previously acknowledged the house arrest was ordered by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the case remains under the jurisdiction of the Supreme National Security Council.

The continued pressure on activists highlights the Iranian regime's determination to silence dissent and suppress criticism of its treatment of Green Movement leaders.