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| Version 19 | Version 20 |
|---|---|
| Call for Iran protesters' release | Call for Iran protesters' release |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has called for the release of people jailed after protesting at the result of the recent election. | Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Rafsanjani has called for the release of people jailed after protesting at the result of the recent election. |
| In his first Friday sermon since the vote, he also said large numbers of Iranians still doubted its result. | In his first Friday sermon since the vote, he also said large numbers of Iranians still doubted its result. |
| Opposition supporters interrupted the sermon at Tehran University with chants of support for defeated election candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. | Opposition supporters interrupted the sermon at Tehran University with chants of support for defeated election candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. |
| Outside police fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters. | Outside police fired tear gas to disperse opposition supporters. |
| Thousands of them rallied in streets near the university - the first public opposition demonstration for more than a week. | |
| Many were wearing green bands on their heads or wrists to indicate support for Mr Mousavi, and some could be heard chanting "death to the dictator" and "Allahu Akbar" [God is great]. | |
| IRAN UNREST 12 June Presidential election saw incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected with 63% of voteMain challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi called for result to be annulled, alleging poll fraudMass street protests saw at least 20 people killed, hundreds arrested, and foreign media restricted href="/2/hi/middle_east/8156263.stm">Friday prayers: Differing views class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8101621.stm">Q&A: Election aftermath Guide: How Iran is ruled Send us your comments | |
| Friday's rally followed warnings from a minister against turning the occasion into a "stage for undesirable scenes". | Friday's rally followed warnings from a minister against turning the occasion into a "stage for undesirable scenes". |
| Witnesses said a number of people were arrested, including a prominent women's rights activist, Shadi Sadr. | |
| Mr Mousavi, who attended the Friday prayers at which Mr Rafsanjani spoke, has demanded a re-run of the vote and described the new government as illegitimate. | Mr Mousavi, who attended the Friday prayers at which Mr Rafsanjani spoke, has demanded a re-run of the vote and described the new government as illegitimate. |
| Another defeated opposition candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, also attended the prayers, according to the website of his party, Etemad Melli. | Another defeated opposition candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, also attended the prayers, according to the website of his party, Etemad Melli. |
| The site quoted his son as saying that Mr Karoubi had been jostled and insulted as he arrived at the university, causing his turban to fall off. | The site quoted his son as saying that Mr Karoubi had been jostled and insulted as he arrived at the university, causing his turban to fall off. |
| The reports could not be immediately confirmed. | The reports could not be immediately confirmed. |
| Foreign media organisations including the BBC are subject to severe restrictions. | Foreign media organisations including the BBC are subject to severe restrictions. |
| 'Crisis' | 'Crisis' |
| Mr Rafsanjani is a key power-broker in Iranian politics and has been a backer of Mr Mousavi. | Mr Rafsanjani is a key power-broker in Iranian politics and has been a backer of Mr Mousavi. |
| During his sermon, broadcast live on state radio, he said something had to be done to allay people's doubts about the recent election result. | During his sermon, broadcast live on state radio, he said something had to be done to allay people's doubts about the recent election result. |
| "In the current situation it is not necessary for us to have a number of people in prisons... we should allow them to return to their families," Mr Rafsanjani said. | "In the current situation it is not necessary for us to have a number of people in prisons... we should allow them to return to their families," Mr Rafsanjani said. |
| Tehran University sermon | Tehran University sermon |
| "We are all members of a family. I hope with this sermon we can pass through this period of hardships that can be called a crisis." | "We are all members of a family. I hope with this sermon we can pass through this period of hardships that can be called a crisis." |
| Mr Rafsanjani also appealed for an open debate on radio and TV about the disputed 12 June election and called for media restrictions to be eased. | Mr Rafsanjani also appealed for an open debate on radio and TV about the disputed 12 June election and called for media restrictions to be eased. |
| "It is not necessary to pressure media. We should allow them to work freely within the law," he said. | "It is not necessary to pressure media. We should allow them to work freely within the law," he said. |
| The hall was reportedly packed with opposition supporters who shouted "freedom, freedom" during the sermon. Many had green prayer mats. | |
| The former president's comments came very close to a direct challenge to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne, who was ordered out of Iran last month. | The former president's comments came very close to a direct challenge to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne, who was ordered out of Iran last month. |
| It was the first time in two months that Mr Rafsanjani had led weekly prayers at Tehran University. | It was the first time in two months that Mr Rafsanjani had led weekly prayers at Tehran University. |
| Although he did not voice his opinion during the unrest that followed the election, members of his family - including his daughter Faezeh - openly supported Mr Mousavi. | Although he did not voice his opinion during the unrest that followed the election, members of his family - including his daughter Faezeh - openly supported Mr Mousavi. |
| Defiant | Defiant |
| Violent street protests broke out in Iran last month, as news of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory was met with accusations of fraud. | Violent street protests broke out in Iran last month, as news of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory was met with accusations of fraud. |
| At least 20 people have died and hundreds have been arrested in the unrest. | At least 20 people have died and hundreds have been arrested in the unrest. |
| Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's most senior political figure, upheld Mr Ahmadinejad's landslide victory and demanded an end to protests. | Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's most senior political figure, upheld Mr Ahmadinejad's landslide victory and demanded an end to protests. |
| Despite this, Mr Mousavi has remained defiant. | Despite this, Mr Mousavi has remained defiant. |
| Announcing his decision to attend Friday prayers, Mr Mousavi said on his website, "I feel obliged to respond to the call of companions on the path to protecting rights to a noble and free life". | Announcing his decision to attend Friday prayers, Mr Mousavi said on his website, "I feel obliged to respond to the call of companions on the path to protecting rights to a noble and free life". |
| It could be a key moment in the confrontation between Mr Ahmadinejad's government and members of the opposition, our correspondent says. | It could be a key moment in the confrontation between Mr Ahmadinejad's government and members of the opposition, our correspondent says. |
| Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi on Thursday urged the "wise Iranian people" to be "vigilant that the Friday prayers not be turned into a stage for undesirable scenes". | Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi on Thursday urged the "wise Iranian people" to be "vigilant that the Friday prayers not be turned into a stage for undesirable scenes". |
| Are you in Iran? What do you think Mr Rafsanjani will say in his first sermon since the election? How do you think Mr Mousavi will be received? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Iran? What do you think Mr Rafsanjani will say in his first sermon since the election? How do you think Mr Mousavi will be received? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |