Community | December 26, 2009 | 1 comment

Riot police clash with protesters in Tehran

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EthicalVegan
Political conflict and public piety converged on tension-filled streets in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. Clashes erupted between riot police and opposition protesters as hundreds of people solemnly took part in an annual Shiite Muslim observance.

A predominantly Shiite Muslim nation ruled by a Shiite theocracy, Iran remained on the edge as the holy period of Ashura reaches its climax Sunday, when widespread protests are expected to coincide with a day of mourning for a recently deceased cleric who emerged as a champion of opposition protesters.

The opposition demonstrations were the latest to erupt in the Islamic republic since the grassroots outrage over the June presidential elections, when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a second term as president. The election was seen as flawed and protesters took to the streets, with many killed and hurt by security forces and others arrested.
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    Community,   Human Rights,   Civil Liberties
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    Iran Tehran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad protesters 5 more
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1 comment // Riot police clash with protesters in Tehran

  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • "Sunday marks a week to the day since the death of Grand Ayatollah Hussein Ali Montazeri, a key figure in the 1979 Iranian revolution. Montazeri, who went on to become one of the government's most vocal critics, died December 20.

      The seventh day after a death is a traditional time for mourning in Islam, giving Iran's opposition two reasons to demonstrate on Sunday."

    • 2 years ago
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