Clashes at Montazeri ceremony, Iran opposition says
December 23, 2009
Iranian security forces have clashed with crowds of opposition supporters in the city of Isfahan, according to opposition website reports.
Activists said police used tear gas and batons to disperse people gathering to commemorate Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died at the weekend.
The ayatollah was one of the country’s most influential dissident figures.
On Monday, tens of thousands attended his funeral in the holy city of Qom - many shouting anti-government slogans.
‘Fiercely confronted’
The funeral saw reports of clashes between security forces and mourners - and more unrest was reported in Qom on Tuesday.
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DEFIANT CLERIC
 Born into provincial family in 1922 and educated at a seminary
Arrested and tortured for leading protests against Iran monarchy
Designated successor to Islamic Republic’s founder, Khomeini
Fell out with Khomeini in 1989 over Iran’s human rights record
House arrest in 1997 for criticising current Supreme Leader
Issues a fatwa against President Ahmadinejad after 2009’s election
 Obituary: Ayatollah Montazeri
Analysis: Government’s challenge
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Reformists say there has also been unrest in Najafabad - the ayatollah’s home city - over the past two days.
BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the confrontations are all part of a build-up to a big series of demonstrations expected at the weekend.
The authorities have not yet confirmed the unrest in Isfahan, but the country’s police chief warned on Wednesday that protests would not be tolerated.
“We advise this movement to end their activities,” the semi-official Fars news agency quoted Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam as saying.
“Otherwise those who violate the order will be fiercely confronted, based on the law.”
The Rahesabz website said crowds of opposition supporters had gathered at a mosque in Isfahan for a memorial service for the ayatollah.
But hundreds of police and plain-clothes security officers were already there.
The website said opposition supporters had been injured and there were a number of arrests.
Another reformist website, Parlemannews, said more than 50 people had been detained.
The ayatollah’s funeral was attended by several leading opposition figures, including Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Mr Mousavi, who came second in this year’s presidential election, has been an outspoken critic of the current government and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
On Tuesday Mr Mousavi was dismissed as head of the Council for Cultural Revolution, an arts institution affiliated to the president’s office.
In recent days hardliners have urged Iran’s judiciary to put Mr Mousavi on trial for instigating unrest.
Source: bbc.co.uk/
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