Tehran: Iranian opposition groups called
for a new round of street protests to coincide with the
inauguration ceremony for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
on Wednesday.
The pro-reform movement claims the June 12 election
declared for Ahmadinejad was fraudulent and opposition leader
Mir Hossein Mousavi was the real winner.
Several pro-reform blogs and websites, including some
linked to Mousavi, appealed for demonstrators to gather in
front of parliament, where Ahmadinejad is to be officially
sworn in for a second term. They also called for protests at
main markets in other cities around Iran.
Any protests will almost certainly be met by a heavy
security presence, as the government has harshly cracked down
on any opposition demonstrations over the disputed election.
At least 30 people have died in the unrest that
followed the vote, according to figures from a parliamentary
investigation, and hundreds have been detained. Human rights
groups believe the death toll is likely far higher.
Ahmadinejad also faces discontent from fellow
conservatives in Iran's ruling hierarchy over the harsh
crackdowns and accusations that some of those detained in the
unrest have been mistreated.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, August 04, 2009, 22:38