Short News Summary for Saturday, August 4, 1397 (August 4, 2018). Read the most important news from Iran and the world on the thirteenth day of Mordad 97 here moment by moment.
Some slogans from protesters during the gatherings on Saturday, August 4: *An Iranian will die, but will not accept humiliation* *Death to the dictator* *Khamenei, have some shame, leave the country alone* *Iranians, shout out, demand your rights* *Islam has become a step, people are exhausted*
Protests and gatherings were reported in several cities in Iran, including Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz, Qom, and Eshtahard on the night of Saturday, August 4. These protests occurred near Hafez Bridge (College) in Tehran, Golshahr intersection in Karaj, and Towhid Square in Qom. Videos of protests in several other cities in Iran have also been published.
Continued anti-government protests were reported in some areas of Tehran and Karaj. Images shared on social media indicate anti-government protests in the Yaftabad area in southwestern Tehran, as well as reports of protests in the Eshtahard area of Karaj. Radio Farda cannot independently confirm the details of these gatherings, but some videos released refer to the date of Saturday, August 4. Meanwhile, Fars News Agency reported that one person was killed by gunfire during protests on Friday night in Karaj, and 20 others were arrested. Fars claims that the bullet was fired by occupants of a Peugeot 206 from an unlicensed weapon.
The use of a misleading photo in the news about the "attack on the Eshtahard Seminary" was reported. Hawzah News, which covers news related to seminaries in the country, published a photo in the news about the "attack on the Eshtahard Seminary" that was taken last winter. At that time, the same website had published a news report about the attack and destruction of the Takestan Seminary and had used the same photo. Takestan is part of Qazvin Province, while Eshtahard is located in Alborz Province. Since the formation of the new wave of protests in recent days, reports of protests in various areas of Alborz Province, including Golshahr and Eshtahard, have emerged, and videos shared on social media indicate that protests continued in Eshtahard on Saturday as well.
The police blocked routes leading to Golshahr in Karaj. The police issued a statement announcing the closure of routes leading to Golshahr in Karaj and the first square of Rajai Shahr from 6 PM on Saturday. No reason was given for this action by the police, but the streets of Golshahr in Karaj have witnessed anti-government protests in recent nights. These protests also took place on Friday night in Golshahr, Tehran, Shiraz, and several other cities. Radio Farda cannot independently confirm the details of these gatherings. Protests in recent days have faced severe opposition from police and plainclothes agents. Protesters have chanted slogans against the leader and officials of the Islamic Republic while protesting economic issues.
The trial of three labor activists in Sanandaj was held on Saturday. Reports indicated that Yadollah Samadi, Jamil Shahabi, and Armin Sharifeh were summoned to the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj. Mr. Samadi wrote on his Facebook page that he and Mr. Shahabi and Mr. Sharifeh were tried on charges of "propaganda against the regime and membership in parties." He added that these three labor activists strongly rejected the allegations and deemed them "unreal." According to Mr. Samadi, the verdicts from the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj are expected to be issued in the coming days.
Tehran resumed electricity exports to Pakistan. The Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency reported that starting from Saturday, August 4, electricity exports from Iran to Shia-populated areas of Pakistan have resumed. According to the House of Nation, the resumption of electricity exports to Pakistan followed negotiations between Hoshmatollah Falahatpisheh, the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, and Reza Ardakanian, the Minister of Energy. The reason for the request from the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission for the resumption of electricity exports to Pakistan was to "continue friendly relations with the eastern neighbor."
Heavy prison sentences for Mohammad Habibi, a teachers' rights activist. One of Mohammad Habibi's defense lawyers reported that his client was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison. According to him, the maximum term, seven and a half years, is enforceable. According to ISNA, Amir Reisiann stated that Mohammad Habibi was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court for "conspiracy and collusion to commit a crime against national security" to seven and a half years in prison, "propaganda against the regime" to 18 months in prison, and "disturbing public order" to 18 months in prison. He said that based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, all of Mohammad Habibi's sentences have been increased by one and a half times, and the most severe punishment is enforceable. Amir Reisiann added that the Revolutionary Court also sentenced Mr. Habibi to 74 lashes and a two-year ban from political and social activities and a ban on leaving Iran as supplementary punishment. In recent years, labor activists have been sentenced to prison on security charges. These sentences have drawn protests from human rights organizations and labor unions worldwide.
NASA announced the names of astronauts for the first private spaceflight. NASA announced the names of nine astronauts who will fly on the first private flight to space on Friday. This will be the first crewed spaceflight from the United States since 2011, the year the United States ended its space shuttle program. According to Reuters, these nine astronauts will fly aboard a spacecraft designed by Elon Musk's SpaceX and Boeing. Since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, NASA has relied on Russia to send astronauts to the space station. The first private flight to space is scheduled for next year, 2019.
Israel prevents the entry of a boat carrying aid to Gaza. The Israeli army announced on Saturday, August 4, that it prevented the entry of a boat carrying political activists and medical supplies to the Gaza Strip. This is the second boat in a week that Israel has prevented from entering Gaza. According to AFP, the boat, flying the Swedish flag, was carrying 12 political activists and medical equipment for the people of Gaza. Israel claims it prevented the boat's entry into Gaza according to "international maritime law" and redirected it to the port of Ashdod. Since 2008, Israel has entered into war with Palestinian militants three times and currently has Gaza under blockade. UN officials have repeatedly pointed out the "dire humanitarian conditions" in the strip and called for the lifting of the blockade.