Note: I have repeatedly seen two spellings: Mousavi and Moussavi. News outlets differ on the spelling of his name; most pick Mousavi, but CNN is using Moussavi. Anyone know for certain?

Women's vote: Mousavi's backing for greater equality drew huge support

By Christopher Leake
14th June 2009

 

 

 

More than 100 reformists were arrested last night after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidential election victory led to street protests.

A judiciary spokesman said they had not been arrested but were summoned and "warned not to increase tension". They were later released, he said.

Thousands of people clashed with police on Saturday after the disputed election victory of Ahmadinejad sparked the biggest protests in Tehran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Flare-up: Riots erupt after the win by Mr Ahmadinejad

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad holds his passport while flashing the victory sign after casting his ballot for the presidential election

A supporter of Mousavi burns a poster of Ahmadinejad as others throw stones toward the security forces in Tehran

 

Demonstrators used petrol bombs and stones in their battles with the police

Iranian and Western analysts said Ahmadinejad's re-election would disappoint Western powers aiming to persuade Iran to halt a nuclear programme they suspect is aimed at making bombs.

Leading reformist Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a former vice-president, told Reuters: "They were taken from their homes last night." He said more arrests were expected.

Yesterday's protests were a rare direct challenge to Iranian authorities. The election result and its violent aftermath raised fresh questions about the direction of Iranian policies at a time when U.S. President Barack Obama wants to improve relations with Iran.<:od>

It was the worst public uprising since the country’s Islamic student revolution 30 years ago.

The police crackdown came as demonstrators shouted ‘down with the dictator’ as they took to the streets. Four police motorbikes were set on fire near the Interior Ministry and mobs armed with clubs chased off secret policemen who had infiltrated the crowds.

Pro-democracy slogans on walls near former Prime Minister Mr Mousavi’s Tehran headquarters were painted over on government orders, while the building itself was sealed off to prevent the opposition candidate’s supporters holding a press conference.

In a further attempt to quell criticism of the result, Iran’s Supreme Council shut down social networking websites and the BBC’s new Persia News Channel.

There were also warnings from the powerful Revolutionary Guard that it would crush opposition from Mr Mousavi’s so-called ‘green movement’.

An injured demonstrator has blood wiped off his face during the clashes










Support for Ahmadinejad is still strong particularly in rural regions of the country

Green revolution: A supporter of Mirhossein Mousavi, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's nearest rival, flashes a peace sign at a massive rally

Observers expressed surprise after hardline President Ahmadinejad won majorities in provincial areas where he has enjoyed little support from the electorate.

Mr Mousavi – who even lost the ballot in his home town of Khameneh – claimed the result was ‘deeply flawed’.

He said: ‘People won’t respect those who take power through fraud. I strongly protest the many obvious violations and will not surrender to this dangerous charade. Such performance by some officials will jeopardise the pillars of the Islamic Republic and will establish tyranny.’

Mr Mousavi alleged there was a shortage of ballot papers and that millions of people had been denied the right to vote. He said his election monitors were not allowed enough access to polling stations, and pledged to deal seriously with any irregularities.

The Committee to Protect the People’s Votes, a group set up by Mr Mousavi with the two other opposition candidates, Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai, said it would not accept the result and has called for a rerun.

  

Riot police clear away the remains of burning debris following clashes with Mousavi supporters

 

Security forces on motorbikes chase and beat demonstrators

 

Wearing green, the colour of Mousavi's party, demonstrators protest against the election result

But later Mr Ahmadinejad claimed the election had been ‘free and healthy’ and that
‘people voted for my policies’.

Iranian state-controlled television showed Mr Ahmadinejad’s supporters pouring on to the streets of Tehran.

Sandwich seller Kamra Mohammadi was quoted as saying: ‘I am happy that my candidate has won – he helps the poor and he catches thieves.’

Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad celebrate in Tehran after results showed him in the lead

Challenge: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad waves to his supporters after casting his vote

An Iranian policeman holds his weapon as a woman wearing black chador leaves a polling station in the city of Qom







Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei congratulated Mr Ahmadinejad and urged his rivals against ‘provocations’.

The US, Russia, China, France, Germany and Britain have been piling pressure on Iran over its nuclear development.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: ‘We note the result and have also heard the concerns about the counting of ballots expressed by two of the candidates.

‘This is a matter for the Iranian authorities to address.’

 

Mir Hossein Moussavi, left, at a press conference the night before the election result is declared. William Hague, right, has voiced his concerns over allegations of vote-rigging

A voter shows her ink-stained finger having made her choice at a polling station in Tehran. More than 46million Iranians were eligible to vote

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: ‘We hope the outcome reflects the genuine will and desire of the Iranian people.’

About 100 pro-democracy protesters demonstrated outside the Iranian embassy in Kensington, West London, yesterday.

Article: HERE

 

Supporters of Iran's moderate presidential candidate Mirhossein Mousavi throw stones during clashes with police in Tehran June 13, 2009.

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Sun Jun 14, 7:38 AM ET

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Iranian riot police men patrol in Vali-asr street in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 14, 2009. Iranian youths opposed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took to the streets Sunday, setting trash dumpsters and tires on fire, in a second day of clashes triggered by voter fraud claims.

(AP photo/Vahid Salemi)