PROTESTERS CONTINUED to gather in Tehran last night despite a stern warning from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that they would crack down on any further demonstrations.
The warning came as officials admitted some irregularities had been detected in the disputed presidential election that returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power on June 12th.
Supporters of Mir Hussein Mousavi, the defeated candidate, considered Mr Ahmadinejad’s most formidable challenger in the election, have taken to the streets of Tehran and other cities for more than a week to protest what they claim was widespread vote-rigging.
So far, the government has deployed police and militia to quash the demonstrations. The ensuing violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people.
The intervention by the more ideologically driven Revolutionary Guards, considered the guardians of the Islamic Republic, signalled the authorities may be planning an even tougher crackdown.
“In the current sensitive situation . . . the guards will firmly confront in a revolutionary way rioters and those who violate the law,” said a statement on the guards’ website.
The statement was issued after Tehran on Sunday experienced its most peaceful night since election day. Mr Mousavi has urged followers to continue with their protests in a peaceful way. “The revolution is your legacy,” he said on his website late on Sunday. “To protest against lies and fraud is your right. Be hopeful that you will get your right and do not allow others who want to provoke your anger . . . to prevail.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Iran’s guardian council, the legislative body tasked with examining the complaints of electoral fraud, conceded that in some constituencies the number of votes had surpassed that of eligible voters.
“Based on initial information, 50 towns had this problem,” the spokesman was quoted by state media as saying. But he argued the total votes in those constituencies did not exceed three million and therefore would not have an impact on the final result of the poll.
Iranian officials announced yesterday that 457 people had been arrested on Saturday, a day which saw the heaviest clashes so far, resulting in at least 10 casualties.
The protesters who gathered in two squares in central Tehran yesterday evening said they were commemorating those who had died over the weekend, including a young woman whose final moments were captured in a video-clip which has swept the internet. She was apparently shot by pro-government militia as she watched the protests.
Meanwhile, Iranian officials continued to accuse western governments and media of supporting what they described as “rioters”. “The promotion of anarchy and vandalism by western powers and media is by no means acceptable,” foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a press conference.