Deaths at Massive Pro-Opposition Rally in Tehran

Iranian state television is reporting that at least seven people were killed Monday when they allegedly tried to attack a military post in Tehran, near the site of a massive pro-opposition rally.

The Press TV report Tuesday says several others were injured when unidentified gunmen fired into the crowd around sundown after a peaceful rally.There had been earlier reports from eyewitnesses saying armed members of a pro-government militia opened fire at one point, killing at least one demonstrator and wounding several others Monday. Some of the protesters had set the militia headquarters on fire.

Another Rally PlannedIranian protesters are planning to hold another demonstration Tuesday against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- defying government warnings, and in spite of the violence at Monday's rally.Hundreds of thousands of Iranians flooded the streets of the capital Monday to see and hear defeated reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister. Mr. Mousavi told the crowd through a loudspeaker that people want to defend their votes and their rights. He has accused the government of voter fraud.

President Ahmadinejad himself is out of the country. He arrived in Russia Tuesday to attend a regional summit, one day later than originally planned.The protesters Monday chanted their support for Mr. Mousavi and said their votes for him should be counted. Official results said Mr. Ahmadinejad won re-election by a landslide, with Mr. Mousavi a distant second. Riot police were visible during Monday's opposition rally, but they took no action to disperse the crowd.

Obama ConcernedIn Washington, President Barack Obama said the world is inspired by images of peaceful protesters in Iran, but is watching the situation closely. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has asked the powerful Guardian Council of Islamic clerics to investigate allegations of voter fraud. Mr. Mousavi had appealed to the Council Sunday to cancel the election results.President Ahmadinejad says the election was free and fair.Official election results show Mr. Ahmadinejad won 63% of the vote, compared to 34% for Mr. Mousavi, his main rival.





By VOA News 16 June 2009