8 people killed in fresh violence; Pro-government rallies across country; Mousavi: My blood is no redder than theirs
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    • Violent clashes across the nation claimed at least 8 lives and left several people injured. As a result, the security forces arrested more than a dozen dissidents including aides to reformist ex-president Mohammad Khatami, opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, veteran leader Ebrahim Yazdi and the award-winning campaigner for human rights, Emadeddin Baghi. The arrests and the raids conducted by the security forces are likely to further antagonize the opposition which has defied the authorities ever since Ahmadinejad returned to power in the contentious June 2009 presidential elections. These demonstrations were held on the sacred day of Ashura when thousands of protesters poured on to streets of Tehran and other major cities to stage fresh anti-government rallies. According to the state television, at least 15 people were reported killed in Tehran alone. Majority amongst the dead were members of “anti-revolutionary terrorist” groups as noted by the television report. Meanwhile, Iran’s bloody crackdown on the protesters drew criticism from around the world including its key trading partner Russia and some western countries.1

    In other developments, thousands of Iranians demonstrated in favour of their government in major cities across the country opposing the anti government protests. The supporters of the government marched in Tehran, Shiraz and Qom shouting “Death to opponents!” Notably, Tehran has accused Western powers of supporting these protests.2

    Leader of opposition Mir Hossein Mousavi stated that he would even sacrifice his life in support of the ongoing campaign against the presidential polls held in June 2009. Speaking on the fresh incidents of violence Mousavi noted, “I am not unwilling to become a martyr like those who made that sacrifice after the election for their rightful national and religious demands.” “My blood is no redder than theirs,” he further added. Demanding the government to cease the crackdown against his supporters, he urged the government to “take responsibility for the problems it has created in the country... release political prisoners... and recognise people’s right to lawful assembly.” Mousavi also pointed out “until there is an acknowledgement of the existence of a serious crisis in the country, there will be no possibility of resolving the problems and issues.”3

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