Iranian Crackdown Leaves At Smallest 8 Dead, Prompts U.s. Censure
The eight fatalities in yesterdays protests were reported by the state-run English-language Press TV on its Web site today, citing the Supreme National Security Council.
One of the people killed was a 35-year-old nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister and the main challenger in the disputed June 12 presidential election, Mousavis Kaleme.org Web site said. The New York Times reported at least five more deaths in other cities; Iranian state television said that more than 15 people were killed in Tehran, according to Agence France-Presse.
“We strongly condemn the violent and unjust suppression of civilians in Iran seeking to exercise their universal rights,” National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement issued in Hawaii yesterday. “Governing through fear and violence is never just.”
Mousavi, and the other main presidential election challenger, ex-parliament Speaker Mehdi Karrubi, said the June balloting was rigged to ensure a second term for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mousavis supporters organized the latest protests to coincide with a religious observance. More than 300 arrests were reported in a police statement carried by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ahmadinejad reject the allegations of vote fraud.
Uranium Enrichment
Iran is also under international pressure to suspend uranium enrichment. Obama has set a Dec. 31 deadline for progress on diplomatic talks on Irans nuclear program and has threatened tougher sanctions. Enriched uranium can be used in nuclear weapons, though Iran says its program is intended for peaceful energy generation only.
Some 4,000 protesters were arrested following the election and more than 140 of them have been tried on charges of attempting to topple the government. Before yesterdays violence, Iranian officials said 36 people had been killed in street clashes, while the opposition put the toll at 72.
The British Broadcasting Corp.s Persian television service showed footage obtained from the Internet depicting clashes in Tehran today. The pictures included demonstrators setting fire to a police station in the central Vali-ye-Asr Square and of bleeding protesters being helped by others.
Tear Gas, Shots
Thousands took to the streets shouting “Death to the dictator,” AP said. Security forces tried to disperse the protesters with tear gas and warning shots, then opened fire, AP said, citing witnesses.
The police statement cited by IRNA said the five victims were “killed suspiciously.”
“One has fallen off a bridge, two have been killed by a car and another one has been shot,” Irans Deputy Police Chief General Ahmadreza Radan was cited as saying by IRNA. Police officers didnt fire their guns, according to the statement.
— With assistance from Henry Meyer in Dubai. Editors: Mark Rohner, Julian Nundy