Iranian Opposition Arrested

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, first under house arrest, have been taken by security forces. Their wives were forced to accompany then, and none have been seen or heard from since. Their location of detainment has yet to be identified, but it is speculated that they have become the latest occupants of the Heshmatiyeh jail in Tehran.

Mir Hossein Mousavi was the key figure of opposition to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Though he is not by any means a liberal, his conservative views are not nearly as extreme as President Ahmadinejad. He went as far as to break with Iranian political tradition and be seen holding his wife's hand during campaigning. Through various interviews, Mousavi made it clear that he thought Iran was in horrible danger if Ahmadinejad received another term. That could be one of the reasons he and Mehdi Karroubi called for peaceful demonstrations.

Mehdi Karroubi, former conciliator and presidential candidate in the discredited 2009 Iranian election, has played a strong hand in continuing to encourage protesters to voice their opposition to the government. While Karroubi supported the protests that began with the demand for reform within the government, he has continued to play a role when the demand for reform changed for one of revolution.


With Mousavi and Karroubi under arrest, the Iranian government could find itself in a better position to deal with suppression without having to endure a voice for those who are silenced. There is no indication that the level of activity of security forces will be reduced, and the protesters are finding themselves united but without further guidance. The next protest is scheduled for Tuesday; but without a strong voice from a leader, their efforts have a greater risk of clashing with security.