THE NEPHEW of Iran’s reformist opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was reported to be among at least nine killed after the streets of Tehran and other cities erupted in violent clashes between security forces and protesters.
Ali Mousavi (35), a father of two, was reportedly shot through the heart after police opened fire during disturbances in Tehran’s Enghelab Square.
The authorities last night tried to assert control over the city by reportedly declaring a 7pm curfew and outlawing all gatherings of more than three people, a source inside the capital told this reporter. The move followed announcements by opposition supporters of plans to meet in some of the city’s main squares and parks to mark Sham-e Ghariban, which is part of the Ashura ceremonies.
News of Mr Mousavi’s nephew’s death, reported by the reformist website Parlemannews, was certain to send shock waves through Iran’s opposition Green Movement.
There were reports of at least four other fatalities in Tehran and four in Tabriz as thousands of demonstrators gathered for the Shia Ashura ceremonies, and to voice anger against the government.
Parlemannews reported that Mr Mousavi had gone to Ebn-e Sina hospital, where the body of his nephew had been taken. He was accompanied by the dead man’s parents, and fellow reformist politicians.
Rah-e Sabz, another reformist website, reported large crowds of people moving towards Ebn-e Sina hospital in a show of solidarity with Mr Mousavi after the death.
Rah-e Sabz reported at least four other people were killed in the capital, including an elderly man who was shot through the forehead at a crossroads in Tehran city centre. Two others were said to have been shot nearby. Rah-e Sabz, citing witnesses, said crowds held up the elderly man and started chanting slogans against Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Another person was reportedly killed after being beaten on the head with a baton, according to Rah-e Sabz.
Meanwhile, Rouydad News, another opposition site, reported that four people were killed in the northern city of Tabriz. According to other eyewitness reports, members of the hardline Basij militia attacked demonstrators with daggers and knives. Disturbances were reported in Isfahan, Shiraz, Masshad, Arak and Najafabad, where the Rah-e Sabz website described the situation as “severe”. Najafabad, birthplace of dissident Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died last Sunday, has witnessed several outbreaks of unrest in the past week.
Yesterday’s religious ceremonies – marking the seventh-century death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hossein – coincided with the mourning ceremonies for Grand Ayatollah Montazeri, who had repeatedly criticised the government.
Ashura ceremonies feature vast crowds of people marching in memory of Imam Hossein, who is seen as a martyr against oppressive government. This year the opposition pledged to use the holy day to voice opposition to the government.
– (Guardian service)
* The White House last night condemned what it called the "unjust suppression" of civilians by the Iranian government and said the United States was on the side of protesters.
“We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights,” White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement. “Hope and history are on the side of those who peacefully seek their universal rights, and so is the United States,” Mr Hammer said.
– (Reuters)