Security
Iran: Police break up fresh protests in Tehran
Tehran, 22 June (AKI) - Iranian police attacked hundreds of protesters with teargas on Monday who were gathering at a main square in the capital Tehran, despite a warning from Iran's powerful military force or Revolutionary Guard against holding rallies.
The protesters - mainly supporters of pro-reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi - gathered at Tehran's Haft-e Tir Square but were quickly dispersed by anti-riot police who also fired weapons into the air.
The protesters were also confronted by the volunteer and pro-government Basij militia, which take orders from the Revolutionary Guard.
"We warn the main elements behind the riots and their deceived supporters to … halt their acts of sabotage and end their riots or be prepared for a decisive and revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij and other security and disciplinary forces," said the Guards in a Monday statement quoted by English-language network PressTV.
Earlier on Monday, the spokesman of Iran's powerful Guardian Council, the country's highest legislative body said that votes cast in over 50 Iranian cities were higher than the number of eligible voters.
The admission confirms suspicions by supporters of Mousavi that the country's presidential elections were rigged.
The Revolutionary Guard, also known as Pasdaran, is Iran’s largest military force and controls a nationwide network of militia.
The admission by the Guardian Council contradicts what was said during Friday prayers by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei when he said the vote was fair and later declaring the results were a "definitive victory" for incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
More than 450 people, most of them protesters loyal to Mousavi were arrested over the weekend in Tehran after clashes with police.
"Iran's police arrested 457 people who have caused insecurity, disrupted public order and clashed with police around Tehran's Enqelab square on Saturday," said Iran's English-language TV channel Press TV.
State media on Sunday reported 10 people had died in protests over the weekend bringing to 19 the total number of people killed since Ahmadinejad was declared landslide victor in the 12 June presidential polls.
The Iran Human Rights website however quoted unofficial reports as saying at least 150 people may have died in the clashes.
Foreign media have been subjected to tight restrictions and reporters are not allowed to cover unauthorised gatherings or move around freely in Tehran.
Observers say the deadly clashes are the most dramatic upheaval seen in the country in more than 30 years since the Islamic revolution.
The protesters - mainly supporters of pro-reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi - gathered at Tehran's Haft-e Tir Square but were quickly dispersed by anti-riot police who also fired weapons into the air.
The protesters were also confronted by the volunteer and pro-government Basij militia, which take orders from the Revolutionary Guard.
"We warn the main elements behind the riots and their deceived supporters to … halt their acts of sabotage and end their riots or be prepared for a decisive and revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij and other security and disciplinary forces," said the Guards in a Monday statement quoted by English-language network PressTV.
Earlier on Monday, the spokesman of Iran's powerful Guardian Council, the country's highest legislative body said that votes cast in over 50 Iranian cities were higher than the number of eligible voters.
The admission confirms suspicions by supporters of Mousavi that the country's presidential elections were rigged.
The Revolutionary Guard, also known as Pasdaran, is Iran’s largest military force and controls a nationwide network of militia.
The admission by the Guardian Council contradicts what was said during Friday prayers by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei when he said the vote was fair and later declaring the results were a "definitive victory" for incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
More than 450 people, most of them protesters loyal to Mousavi were arrested over the weekend in Tehran after clashes with police.
"Iran's police arrested 457 people who have caused insecurity, disrupted public order and clashed with police around Tehran's Enqelab square on Saturday," said Iran's English-language TV channel Press TV.
State media on Sunday reported 10 people had died in protests over the weekend bringing to 19 the total number of people killed since Ahmadinejad was declared landslide victor in the 12 June presidential polls.
The Iran Human Rights website however quoted unofficial reports as saying at least 150 people may have died in the clashes.
Foreign media have been subjected to tight restrictions and reporters are not allowed to cover unauthorised gatherings or move around freely in Tehran.
Observers say the deadly clashes are the most dramatic upheaval seen in the country in more than 30 years since the Islamic revolution.
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