SOME IRAN NEWS

Alan Note: Some $14 Billion are missing and unaccounted for in Ahmadi-Nejad's budget and financial reports. The huge national financial mess the fanatical President, who believes he was placed in power by the hand of Allah, has created in Iran has turned many former allies against him and made him more vulnerable to enemies. Parliamentary elections in March may "select" (elect is a falsehood) many opponents. However, the threat of removal (from living) has so far kept them and even the Supreme Ruler Ali Khamenei from being too loud in their protests against Ahmaghi-Nejad. ALSO: The lawyer representing three jailed Amir Kabir University students told Radio Farda [text in Persian] he would take legal action against prison authorities who have refused to release his clients, even though they have been acquitted on all charges and Iran's judiciary has ordered their release. TURKMENISTAN/IRAN: GOOD RELATIONS TAKE TURN FOR THE WORSE By Bruce Pannier Back in June, they were "the best of friends." http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2008/01/ae26970f-e11f-4ac8-a792-3c336febe5dc.html AUTHORITIES TARGET MORE IRANIAN STUDENT ACTIVISTS AHEAD OF ELECTIONS By Farangis Najibullah and Mohammad Zarghami Universities in Tehran and other Iranian cities have reportedly taken "disciplinary measures" against some 60 student activists amid a crackdown ahead of parliamentary polls in March. http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2008/01/c5eed17c-f958-4cc8-aea6-e74810c37b66.html IRANIAN CRIMINALS LOSE HANDS AND FEET AS SHARI'A LAW IMPOSED By Bruce Pannier Five convicted criminals in southeastern Iran have received the seldom-used form of punishment of amputation. http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2008/01/ec3b38a0-00af-4743-9943-5d00e920249f.html