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Masses mourn protesters in Iran Masses mourn protesters in Iran
(10 minutes later)
More than 100,000 people have attended a "day of mourning" rally in Tehran to remember eight people killed while opposing Iran's election result.More than 100,000 people have attended a "day of mourning" rally in Tehran to remember eight people killed while opposing Iran's election result.
The rally was called by presidential challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi.The rally was called by presidential challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Iran's most influential body has said it is investigating 646 complaints from the three defeated candidates.Iran's most influential body has said it is investigating 646 complaints from the three defeated candidates.
They say there was widespread fraud in the 12 June poll which re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with almost two-thirds of the vote.They say there was widespread fraud in the 12 June poll which re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with almost two-thirds of the vote.
The Guardian Council has invited the three challengers to talks on Saturday.The Guardian Council has invited the three challengers to talks on Saturday.
'Tinder-box' There are about two or three thousand people here, all sitting in silence in the big courtyard inside the shrine Ali, protester in Shiraz class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8108065.stm">Analysis: Titanic struggle class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8107178.stm">Key arrests in crackdown class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8107243.stm">Mid-East press sees 'real test' class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8106699.stm">Basij militia force
Mr Mousavi had called supporters to take to the streets wearing black in memory of those shot by members of the pro-government Basij volunteer militia on Monday.Mr Mousavi had called supporters to take to the streets wearing black in memory of those shot by members of the pro-government Basij volunteer militia on Monday.
The protesters heeded the call, waving black banners and holding aloft placards asking, ''Why did you kill our brothers?'' Some banners carried pictures of the dead.
'Tinder-box'
The opposition leader attended the rally, wearing a black shirt and suit. He addressed the crowds through a loudspeaker, with loud chants of support breaking the general silence.
EYEWITNESS A BBC correspondent at Thursday's Tehran rallyEYEWITNESS A BBC correspondent at Thursday's Tehran rally
The crowd is enormous. It is impossible to put any kind of estimate on the numbers because it is so spread out. It starts down in a large square, Iman Khomeini square, and is filling the streets and avenues all around.The crowd is enormous. It is impossible to put any kind of estimate on the numbers because it is so spread out. It starts down in a large square, Iman Khomeini square, and is filling the streets and avenues all around.
The most you can say is that there are several hundred thousand people here. And just like Mr Mousavi asked, the great majority are wearing sombre clothes. Many are in black, especially the women, who have turned out wearing black chadors.The most you can say is that there are several hundred thousand people here. And just like Mr Mousavi asked, the great majority are wearing sombre clothes. Many are in black, especially the women, who have turned out wearing black chadors.
It is, in effect, a funeral procession for the eight people who were killed here in Tehran on Monday, and the perhaps seven or so who have been killed in other parts of the country. But the most remarkable thing about this demonstration is the complete silence. The only sound is a certain amount of conversation. There is no shouting, no chanting - just a really dignified silence.It is, in effect, a funeral procession for the eight people who were killed here in Tehran on Monday, and the perhaps seven or so who have been killed in other parts of the country. But the most remarkable thing about this demonstration is the complete silence. The only sound is a certain amount of conversation. There is no shouting, no chanting - just a really dignified silence.
Reporters' logReporters' log
The protesters heeded the call, waving black banners and holding aloft placards asking, ''Why did you kill our brothers?'' Some banners carried pictures of the dead.
The opposition leader attended the rally, wearing a black shirt and suit. He addressed the crowds through a loudspeaker, with loud chants of support breaking the general silence.
Press TV, the English-language version of Iranian state television, reported that the address was brief and that Mr Mousavi called for calm and restraint.Press TV, the English-language version of Iranian state television, reported that the address was brief and that Mr Mousavi called for calm and restraint.
The BBC's Marcus George in Tehran says there was little sign of pro-government militia squads but supporters of Mr Mousavi have been telling each other to stick closely together for better protection.
Reporter Marie Colvin of the UK's Sunday Times newspaper told the BBC from Tehran that both sides seemed to be trying to avoid major clashes but the situation was "a tinder-box, very edgy, so it's very hard to predict".Reporter Marie Colvin of the UK's Sunday Times newspaper told the BBC from Tehran that both sides seemed to be trying to avoid major clashes but the situation was "a tinder-box, very edgy, so it's very hard to predict".
She said a Wall Street Journal colleague had been "interviewing a young man on the street the other night, and one of the militiamen came up and put a bullet through his neck and killed him".
The day of mourning was also observed outside Tehran.The day of mourning was also observed outside Tehran.
There are about two or three thousand people here, all sitting in silence in the big courtyard inside the shrine Ali, protester in Shiraz Analysis: Titanic struggle Key arrests in crackdown Mid-East press sees 'real test' Basij militia force
One protester, Ali, took part in a silent sit-in at a shrine in Shiraz, south-western Iran, to remember those killed.One protester, Ali, took part in a silent sit-in at a shrine in Shiraz, south-western Iran, to remember those killed.
He told the BBC: "There are about two or three thousand people here, all sitting in silence in the big courtyard inside the shrine. Police won't do anything because we are in a holy site."He told the BBC: "There are about two or three thousand people here, all sitting in silence in the big courtyard inside the shrine. Police won't do anything because we are in a holy site."
Heavy restrictions have been placed on the BBC and other foreign news organisations.Heavy restrictions have been placed on the BBC and other foreign news organisations.
Reporters are not allowed to cover unauthorised gatherings or move around freely in Tehran - but there are no controls over what they can write or say.Reporters are not allowed to cover unauthorised gatherings or move around freely in Tehran - but there are no controls over what they can write or say.
Counter-protestCounter-protest
The protests came as the powerful Guardian Council said it had invited Mr Mousavi and fellow defeated candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai to a meeting on Saturday to discuss their election complaints. It is not known if the three candidates have accepted the invitation.The protests came as the powerful Guardian Council said it had invited Mr Mousavi and fellow defeated candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mohsen Rezai to a meeting on Saturday to discuss their election complaints. It is not known if the three candidates have accepted the invitation.
Guardian Council spokesman Abbasali Khadkhodai said a "careful examination" of the 646 complaints from the three candidates had begun.Guardian Council spokesman Abbasali Khadkhodai said a "careful examination" of the 646 complaints from the three candidates had begun.
Mobile phone footage of Mousavi addressing the rally in Tehran on ThursdayMobile phone footage of Mousavi addressing the rally in Tehran on Thursday
The council earlier this week said it would carry out a partial recount, but had ruled out a re-run of the poll demanded by Mr Mousavi.The council earlier this week said it would carry out a partial recount, but had ruled out a re-run of the poll demanded by Mr Mousavi.
On Friday, Iranians will be listening closely to the address of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to deliver the sermon at Friday prayers.On Friday, Iranians will be listening closely to the address of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to deliver the sermon at Friday prayers.
In other events on Thursday:In other events on Thursday:
• A counter-rally was held outside the prosecutor's office in Tehran in which hard-line students protested against the role of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and his family. The Fars news agency said his daughter, Faezeh, who addressed an opposition rally on Tuesday, and her brother Mehdi had been barred from leaving Iran over their alleged role in the unrest.• A counter-rally was held outside the prosecutor's office in Tehran in which hard-line students protested against the role of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and his family. The Fars news agency said his daughter, Faezeh, who addressed an opposition rally on Tuesday, and her brother Mehdi had been barred from leaving Iran over their alleged role in the unrest.
• Ebrahim Yazdi, a foreign minister after the 1979 revolution and now leader of the Freedom Movement of Iran, was arrested while undergoing tests at a hospital in Tehran, a spokesman for his organisation said.• Ebrahim Yazdi, a foreign minister after the 1979 revolution and now leader of the Freedom Movement of Iran, was arrested while undergoing tests at a hospital in Tehran, a spokesman for his organisation said.
• The Assembly of Experts - Iran's top clerical body responsible for appointing the supreme leader - welcomed the election turnout but made no mention of the result. It is headed by Mr Rafsanjani.• The Assembly of Experts - Iran's top clerical body responsible for appointing the supreme leader - welcomed the election turnout but made no mention of the result. It is headed by Mr Rafsanjani.
• Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi called for the election result to be annulled, Reuters news agency reported.• Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi called for the election result to be annulled, Reuters news agency reported.
Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Are you in Iran? What do you think of the current situation? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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