Obama 'Buddy' 'Moderate Iran, prevents Iranian Journalists From Showing Solidarity With Paris Victims

Obama 'Buddy' 'Moderate Iran, prevents Iranian Journalists From Showing Solidarity With Paris Victims. (Rferl).

Security forces in Tehran have thwarted efforts by Iranian journalists to stage a demonstration to show solidarity with the victims of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.

Journalists tried to gather on January 8 near the building which had housed the Association of Iranian Journalists before it was shut down by former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad’s government in August 2009.

But witnesses said police and security forces prevented the journalists from gathering in front of the building, which has been sealed since it was raided by security forces in 2009.

A journalist who did not want to be identified by name told RFE/RL that there was a heavy police presence on the streets leading to the Association of Iranian Journalists before the scheduled demonstration.

He said journalists had planned to place flowers and light candles in front of the association’s building as a sign of respect for the Charlie Hebdo staffers killed in the attack, which left 12 people dead.

But the journalists said they were forced to leave without placing the flowers they had carried after an hour of trying to bargain with the police.

“We just wanted to express our disgust regarding the terrorist attack,” said another journalist who was planning to participate in the solidarity gathering.

Iran often prevents or quashes gatherings that are not sponsored by the state.Read the full story here.