Iran cracks down on web critics (Guardian)

Iran cracks down on web critics

Robert Tait in Tehran
Tuesday February 20, 2007
The Guardian

An Iranian website fiercely critical of the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has
been shut down in an apparent fresh crackdown on anti-government dissent on the
internet.

Baztab, a fundamentalist site which has previously accused Mr Ahmadinejad of
betraying the Islamic revolution by attending a female dance show, has been closed
for acting against the constitution and undermining national unity.

The order coincided with the confirmation of Gholamhossein Elham, who has supported
restraints on press freedom, as Iran's new judiciary minister. Mr Elham, previously
the government's official spokesman, last year urged prosecutors to pursue news
outlets that printed "lies" about Mr Ahmadinejad's government.

-snip-

Baztab - which is close to Mohsen Rezai, a former revolutionary guard commander -
is one of Iran's most widely read political sites. It has been a staunch critic of the
government's economic policies, which have produced surging inflation and high
unemployment. The website also posted video footage purportedly showing Mr
Ahmadinejad watching a female dance performance at the recent Asian Games in
Qatar, in breach of Iran's prohibition on women dancing in front of men.

-snip-