Iran police halt mourning protest

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Iranian police have arrested mourners who had gathered at a cemetery in Tehran for a memorial to those killed in post-election violence, reports say.

Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi tried to join mourners at the graveside of Neda Agha Soltan, whose death became a symbol of post-election unrest.

But reports say he was forced to leave the cemetery shortly after his arrival.

Other witnesses said that mourners clung to his car, chanting "Mousavi, we support you".

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8175764.stm

[Turborama]

1. The Times: Iranian police beat up mourners at ceremony for Neda Soltan

Martin Fletcher

Baton-wielding Iranian riot police arrested mourners and drove away opposition leaders as they tried to stage a ceremony in a Tehran cemetery to commemorate protesters killed in anti-government demonstrations last month.

Ignoring Islamic customs and traditions, the security forces beat and detained many of the 2000-odd people who came to mark the end of the 40-day mourning period at the grave of Neda Soltan, the young student who has become an icon of the opposition movement.

When Mir Hossein Mousavi, the movement’s leader, arrived at the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery on the baking plains south of the capital, he was mobbed by supporters who chanted “Mousavi we support you” and “Death to the Dictator”.

Foreign journalists are banned from Iran, but witnesses said the former prime minister managed to leave his car and walk up to Ms Soltan’s grave before the police stopped him. “Mousavi was however not allowed to recite the Koran verses said at such occasions and he was immediately surrounded by anti-riot police who led him to his car,” said one.

Full article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6733281.ece