Chain of fires and arson in Tehran's poor neighborhood: protest or random crime?
Iranian authorities are concerned about the large number of deliberate fires and arson (to cars, buses and motorcycles) in Islamshahr, an impoverished Southern suburb of Tehran. The town is among the poorest and highest crimes in the country but authorities fear that the recent wave of fires (at least 13 after the anniversary of Iranian election) may be caused by protests and not random crimes. Islamshahr was the location of a major riot in Tehran 15 years ago. The riot spread to other parts of Tehran and resulted in deaths, widespread fire, and clashes with militia and security forces.
The Ahmadinejad government attributes the "green" reform movement to the "elite", "the upper class" and "the rich" in Tehran, and boasts support by "oppressed" militia (basiji). So any unrest in impoverished neighborhoods could reflect weakening of support for the government among its support base.
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