'Clashes at Montazeri ceremony'

23/12/2009| IslamWeb

Iranian security forces have clashed with crowds of opposition supporters in the city of Isfahan, according to opposition website reports.

Activists said police used tear gas and batons to disperse people gathering to commemorate Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died at the weekend.

The ayatollah was one of the country's most influential dissident figures.

On Monday, tens of thousands attended his funeral in the city of Qom - many shouting anti-government slogans.

The funeral saw reports of clashes between security forces and mourners - and more unrest was reported in Qom on Tuesday.

Reformists say there has also been unrest in Najafabad - the ayatollah's home city - over the past two days.

Demonstrations planned

The Rahesabz website said crowds of opposition supporters gathered at a mosque in Isfahan for a memorial service for the ayatollah.

But hundreds of police and plain-clothes security officers were already there.

The website said many opposition supporters were injured and there were a number of arrests.

BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the confrontations are all part of a build-up to a big series of demonstrations expected at the weekend.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iranians follow a truck transporting the coffin of dissident cleric Ayatollah Hossein Ali Mintazeri in the Shi'ite city of Qom.

BBC