Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Dish has posted a piece alleging that Iranian film director Mohsen Makhmalbaf accused Iran’s contested President, Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, of giving up Iran’s rights in the Caspian Sea to Russia in exchange for ‘firm backing’. You can read the piece here.
Russian opposition coalition The Other Russia has seized on the story.
Makhmalbaf also claimed to have information that Russia had provided high-ranking consultants to teach Iranian authorities effective ways to repress the opposition.
Russia was one of the first countries to congratulate Ahmadinejad of victory in Iran’s highly contested presidential elections. Observers noted irregularities during the vote, and Mousavi has called the June 12th election a “charade.”
As result of Russia’s quick support for Ahmadinejad, as well as Makhmalbaf’s accusations, supporters of the Iranian opposition staged a protest outside the Russian embassy in Toronto.