1984 in 2009

It's a tough old time for reformists in Iran at present. Following the disputed presidential polls and anti-government unrest in June there were overly optimistic hopes that the Guardian Council or the Supreme Leader (yes you heard right...) would perhaps overturn the election or at least stage a show recount of ballots that officially declared incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as president for a second five year term. Alas, no. Ahmadinejad (pictured here pointing at and chastising members of the Tehran knitting club) was declared winner and last week had his new cabinet approved by the Supreme Leader (really cool name that) which has helped him regain his momentum to pursue his conservative policies (and chase down those that opposed him in the aftermath of the June poll). Yesterday some website reported that Alireza Hosseini Beheshti, a leading opposition figure and ally of the guy a lot of Tehranians think should have won the poll (Mousavi), was recently arrested by the authorities on orders from Tehran's prosecutor - no doubt a firm Ahmadinejad supporter. Former Tehran mayor, Morteza Alviri, has also felt the wrath of the local militia and is currently enjoying his Persian Pasti in a local gaol. Further arrests are likely. But what's behind it, really? Well, the guys arrested have been leading an opposition committee in investigating abuses by the authorities during the June/July unrest that they say left 70 people dead (the government say 26). They also accuse the security forces of abuse, ranging from the standard torture to rape. Clearly, these chaps haven't read Orwell's 1984 or have and are looking to supplement their diet with Iranian prison biscuits. What is clear is that the government will become more brazen in the weeks and months to come. They have the backing of the big wigs and the Supreme Leader (really cool title) and hold one enormous grudge. Reformists beware.