* * Below: A video about the outrageous pollution of the , as locals describe the spread of disease and the destruction of the ecosystem in that part of Iran.

* * Last week, speaking at his seminary classes in Qom, firebrand octogenarian Mullah (and Khamenei supporter), Nasser Makarem-Shirazi, argued that the Iraqi parliamentary elections “were without a doubt fraudulent” and that the US had rigged the Iraqi elections in its own favour. Makarem Shirazi added: “Since the victory of secular groups in Iraq is more in line with US interests, they consider it a healthy and correct election process. And that since the outcome of Iran’s elections is not “beneficial” for the US and the West, they pronounce it disputable.”

In Iraq’s parliamentary elections, Iraqiyah Party led by Ayad Allawi won a parliamentary majority. Makarem Shirazi’s comments came as a response to Ayad Allawi’s accusations of Iran’s interference in Iraqi affairs.

* * Scandalous show trial and acquittal of a Revolutionary Guard Commander for immorality. Reza Zareii, former commander of Tehran’s security forces who was arrested for “indecency” has become a thorn in the Iranian regime’s side. Reportedly, Zareii’s indiscretion got so out of hand that as a self-preservatory measure, the regime authorities were forced to take action.

In early March 2008, Zareii was arrested in one of Tehran’s most popular brothels while praying in the nude with six nude prostitutes. Though at the time of Zareii’s arrest, the regime’s authorities did everything they could to keep the scandal under wraps, several sites close to one of Zareii’s rivals, Tehran’s mayor, , leaked the details. The Iranian judiciary was then forced to prepare their case outside the regular Tehran jurisdiction, as one of Zareii’s closest allies, Tehran’s notorious prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi (known as the Butcher) would have made every effort to block all inquiries. After several weeks in detention however, Zareii was released on bail and since then, he had been waiting for his trial.

Late last month Zareii went on trial and was acquitted of all charges with the judiciary issuing a statement that read: “Many of the accusations leveled against Reza Zareii were fabricated by anti-regime media outlets and could not be proven. However Zareii took advantage of his position and his conduct was deemed indecent.”

The trial is seen as a show trial and it is said that Zareii was chosen as a fall guy by the regime authorities and made an example of, as his behavior betrays a patent and more prevalent nature of the majority of the regime’s authorities.

* * Ahmadinejad visited the North Western city of Orumiyeh.

Below: A video of people tearing billboards with Ahmadinejad photos and slogans

…And here is a video and photos of the turn out at his speech…a far cry from the throngs of enthusiasts that the regime’s media claim show up to see him.

* * These days the regime itself seems to be grappling with never-ending storms of accusations and charges of corruption amongst the regime’s highest officials. As we reported recently, Ahmadinejad’s vice-president Mohammad-Reza Rahimi is among the accused who has been scrambling to defend himself. In reaction to charges of embezzlement leveled against him by Elias Naderan, a conservative member of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) Rahimi claimed that he has always been “the protector of the public treasury” and contented that the accusation against him were being created by those who spread doubt and confusion in society. While

Rahimi did not directly mention any names in his comments, he threatened: “Our government does possess all the necessary information about the assets, credentials and abuses of those who venture to spread such doubt who are nothing more than a group of mercenaries who have always moved against the interests of the Islamic Republic and in reality it is they who are in control of our government’s extensive interests and assets.”

On Tuesday, Elias Naderan openly stated that Mohammad-Reza Rahimi heads up the Fatemi Avenue corruption ring which is currently under investigation by the regime’s own judiciary. Elias Naderan’s comments have drawn the condemnation of pro-Ahmadinejad figures in the government and the parliament.