Iran asks for info on the opposition

TEHRAN, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The Iranian government responded to anti-regime protesters by soliciting information from the general public regarding those involved in the political unrest.

A government-backed Internet defense unit posted the pictures of 32 demonstrators involved in political unrest that marked the Shiite holy day of Ashura in late December 2009.

The unit in a statement called on citizens to offer up information, pictures, e-mail addresses or any other information on demonstrators accused by the hard-line government of undermining the principles of the Islamic republic, The Financial Times reports.

The Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of Iran also called on the general public to call its headquarters with any information they may have on the Iranian opposition movement.

Anti-government protesters have rallied around defeated presidential candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi to voice their frustration with the government. What started out as a movement challenging the outcome of June presidential elections has evolved into violent opposition of the hard-line regime.

At least eight people died, including a nephew of Mousavi, in Ashura demonstrations.

Opposition supporters faced with a government crackdown have used social networking sites and cellphone videos posted on the Internet to draw attention to events in Iran. Backers of the reformist movement responded to the latest action by publishing pictures of reported members of the Basij militia, who are accused of using violence to quell the opposition.