Clashes and protests at Montazeri’s funeral, Mousavi’s motorcade attacked
Thousands of people took part in the funeral of Montazeri, a leading figure in the clerical regime, who was buried yesterday in the holy city of Qom. Initially considered as Khomeini’s likely successor, he fell out of favour when he openly attacked mass executions by the regime.
As a staunch opponent of Khamenei, Montazeri was a source of inspiration for anti-government protesters who took to the streets following last June’s contested presidential elections.
On several occasions, he slammed alleged election fraud, which led to Ahmadinejad’s re-election.
Iranian sources report that during the funeral security forces fired tear gas into the crowd, which responded by throwing back stones. Pro-government militias instead attacked the late ayatollah’s home and ripped up posters.
However, this information could not be independently verified because the authorities have imposed tight censorship on local and international media.
Still some websites close to the opposition have uploaded online video showing people shouting “death to the dictator” or calling the role of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “illegitimate”.
Many, beating their chests, chanted, “Oppressed Montazeri, you are with God now.”
Pro-reform site Kaleme also reported that the car of Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was attacked by "plainclothes men" on motorbikes as he made its way back to Tehran from Qom. The former presidential candidate’ motorcade was stopped several times and the assailants repeatedly insulted him. Mr Mousavi himself was not hurt, but the rear window of the car in which he was travelling was shattered.
In the meantime, Iranian President Ahmadinejad, in a rare interview with Western media, dismissed as a US forgery a document allegedly showing plans by Tehran to test a nuclear bomb trigger.
In an interview with ABC News taped last Friday, the Iranian leader said, “We have said once that we don't want a nuclear bomb.” Instead, he insisted that Iran would welcome talks "under fair conditions".
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17/06/2009
