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Iran Willing to 'Slaughter' Rebels: Defector

Regime would be brutal in efforts to hold onto power: former vice consul

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 2, 2011 8:09 AM CST

(Newser) – Iranians have been inspired by the successful revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, but a diplomat who defected last month warns that Iran's regime is a much more brutal one. Iran would "slaughter" rebels rather than cede control, says Ahmed Maleki, who served as vice consul in Iran's Milan consulate before fleeing to Paris. Maleki is one of a string of officials who have defected to join the Green Wave opposition group, formed last year; he says others are waiting for the right time to defect.

"In the course of the past 32 years the sole objective of the regime has been to retain power," he tells Reuters. "They are willing to ... resort to whatever measure, including slaughter and bloodshed to the extreme in order to retain power."

Pro-government Iranians carry the flag-draped coffin of Sane Jaleh, seen in picture at left, a student who was killed during Monday's clashes, in a funeral ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 16, 2011.
Pro-government Iranians carry the flag-draped coffin of Sane Jaleh, seen in picture at left, a student who was killed during Monday's clashes, in a funeral ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 16, 2011.   (AP Photo,Borna News Agency,Mohammad Shiri)
People carry the coffin of Sanee Zhaleh, a student who was shot dead during an opposition rally two days ago, during his funeral in Tehran on February 16, 2011. AFP PHOTO/STR
People carry the coffin of Sanee Zhaleh, a student who was shot dead during an opposition rally two days ago, during his funeral in Tehran on February 16, 2011. AFP PHOTO/STR   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Quinterius
Mar 3, 2011 1:04 PM CST
Mr. Maleki totally lacks credibility. There is no evidence for anything that he claims. While the Shah's troops who were fully supported by the US shot at demonstrators in the streets, even at the height of the demonstrations after the 2009 presidential election security forces did not shoot at people, although they did beat them with batons. All these claims are a conspiracy by the neo-cons and converts like Mr. Maleki to portray Iran as the devil incarnate. There is no truth to these claims. By the way, Ahmadinejad won the 2009 election fair and square, unlike the George Bush win in 2000. There is no credible evidence for fraud and all the polls predicted the margin of victory achieved by Ahmadinejad.
chefbob50
Mar 2, 2011 9:41 PM CST
I'm really surprised that Iran and Libya are the only two countries to use deadly force on it's citizens. I would have thought that the middle east would be drowning in blood by now...
Spudsy
Mar 2, 2011 10:33 AM CST
Theocracy is a horrible, horrible plague upon mankind. I hope the redneck members of the SCOTUS are paying attention.

 
Iran • defection • defectors • green revolution • Iranian protests • Iran protests

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