Behind BlogCentral: Iran: 'They beat ppl like animals'

After a few days of relative calm in Iran following the deadly clashes over the weekend which included the killing of Neda Soltan  - captured on camera and circulated around the world, with some saying that her death has become a 'voice of the revolution,' - Iranians once again take to the streets to protest.

Since June 13, when the results of Iran's presidential elections were announced declaring Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner, Iranian protestors have faced daily beatings and arrests and have been subjected to brutalities by the basij [Iran's paramilitary force] - with many incidents captured on camera - as they've taken to the streets to protest the election results.

Official reports have put the fatalities at a total of 20 but many foreign human rights groups have said that the number is actually much higher, basing their assessments on estimations from hospital staff.

The mainstream media has been banned from reporting inside Iran, with many journalists, both foreign and Iranian-born, detained or expelled from the country. Increasingly, reports on the events in Iran have relied on largely unverified items from social networking sites.

As the latest protest in Teheran started at 4pm Teheran time on Wednesday afternoon in front of the Iranian Parliament, Iranians are once again sending their updates to the micro-blogging site Twitter.

Here is the latest:

Update 23:05pm: Unconfirmed reports that another protest is planned for tomorrow (Thursday) 4pm at Valiasr Square in Teheran.

Update 22:53pm: Press TV is confirming that government forces raided the campaign headquarters of Mir Hossein Mousavi earlier on Wednesday, arresting everyone present:

The Tehran Police say a building has been identified in the city which has been used as a 'headquarters' to promote post-election unrest. ....

The plotters have been arrested and are currently under investigation.

Documents found in the building indicate an ongoing plot against Iran's security was being implemented, the police said in a statement.

"After scrutinizing the building, which was the campaign office of a presidential candidate, it was discovered that the organization of illegal gatherings, the promotion of unrest, and efforts to undermine the country's security were carried out from the building," the statement added.

Evidence has been found in the building that reveals the role of foreign elements in planning post-election unrest.

Reports on Twitter claim that those arrested were 70 university faculty members who met with Mousavi earlier.

Update 22:29pm: The US government has rescinded its invitation to Iranian diplomats to attend 4th July celebrations, AP reports:

An offer for Iranian envoys to attend US embassy Fourth of July Independence Day parties has been rescinded as the violent crackdown in Tehran continues, the White House said Wednesday.

"Given the events of the past many days, those invitations will no longer be extended," presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Update 22:20 pm: Iran's Press TV is reporting that Romania and Hungary have summoned their respective Iranian ambassadors in order to express concerns over the reports of escalating violence in Teheran.

Update 20:58 pm: This website has a list of embassies taking in those injured. Unverified.

Update 20:50 pm: The Guardian is reporting that the family of Neda Soltan, the young woman killed on Saturday and whose death was captured on camera and circulated widely, was forced out of their Teheran home and banned from holding a funeral for her:

Neighbours said that her family no longer lives in the four-floor apartment building on Meshkini Street, in eastern Tehran, having been forced to move since she was killed. The police did not hand the body back to her family, her funeral was cancelled, she was buried without letting her family know and the government banned mourning ceremonies at mosques, the neighbours said.

Update 20:47pm: Video showing protesters carrying man who appears to be seriously wounded. Labeled June 24,2009. WARNING: Graphic.

Update 20:39pm: There is an online petition circulating to "stop the crackdown in Iran." The website claims that it currently has over 65,000 signatures. Its goal is to each 1,000,000. The petition is addressed to the "Organization of Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement and all UN member states."

Update 20:32 pm: Another video labeled June 24, 2009, of protesters shouting "Death to the dictator".

Update 19:13 pm: A witness in Teheran describes to CNN the scenes of the protest, June 24, 2009. "This was a massacre!" she says, as she tries to hold back tears. "Some 500 people with clubs came out and poured into the streets and started beating everyone!"

Update 17:30 pm: Iranian.com published an article June 23 detailing how Iranian protesters can protect themselves from police and basij:

Anti riot attacks

Once caught by security forces, the best way to break free is by swinging relentlessly in all directions. Keep in mind that security forces have to hold on to you, which means they only can use one hand to deflect the blows. Brass Knuckle is extremely effective when trying to break loose from the grip of security forces. Wooden brass knuckle is strong and simple to make. The image above is a sample of a basic wooden brass knuckle that can be made with a piece of wood, a cutter and a drill. It should not take more than 30 minutes to make a wooden brass knuckle. Wooden brass knuckle is extremely strong, light weight and versatile. Make sure that the top edges are sharp and round.

Read the rest here. 

Update 17:23 pm: A website called International campaign for Human Rights in Iran has published a list of those killed and detained since the government crackdown started. According to the site, over 100 public figures are in custody and 86 university students and professors are still being detained. The listings are complete with names and date of arrest.

Update 17:00 pm: 

@persiankiwi so many ppl arrested - young & old - they take ppl away - #Iranelection - we lose our group

RT @persiankiwi: just in from Baharestan Sq - situation today is terrible - they beat the ppls like animals -

RT from Iran:saw 7/8 militia beating one woman with baton on ground - she had no defense nothing - #Iranelection sure that she is dead

ppl run into alleys and militia standing there waiting - from 2 sides they attack ppl in middle of alleys #Iranelection

most disturbing r reports of a 9yr old girl being shot @ Baharestan + Basij won't let people near her 2 help her. #iranelection

Some Twitterers are also warning others of police tactics to catch those capturing events on their camera phones:

URGENT RT: Police is checking cellphones 4 videos & pictures, transfer yr files & clean up yr phone #iranelection #gr88

* * *