Troops moved in ahead of protest, opposition says
Latest update : 2009-12-31
An Iranian opposition website said the government was deploying troops in Tehran hours ahead of a planned pro-opposition rally. Authorities warned Mousavi supporters of harsh treatment if they participated in Thursday's protest.
REUTERS - An Iranian opposition website said on Thursday the government was moving troops and armoured military vehicles to the capital on the day supporters of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi planned to hold a rally.
“Hundreds of military forces and tens of armoured vehicles ... are moving towards Tehran. Some of the vehicles are used for suppressing street riots,” the Jaras website said.
The report could not be confirmed independently by Reuters.
Jaras also said security forces had a heavy presence in various Tehran squares ahead of the planned opposition rally.
FRANCE 24 broadcast a news report on the 29th Dec. about protests in Iran. The report, by French television channel France 2, contained two photos unrelated to the events. France 2 apologised to its viewers for having broadcast the report, and FRANCE 24 would like to take this opportunity to do the same.
We remind viewers that FRANCE 24, along with the rest of the international press, cannot work freely in Iran.
In Iran’s bloodiest unrest since the aftermath of the disputed June 12 presidential election, eight people were killed on Sunday and at least 20 pro-reform figures, including three senior advisers to Mousavi, were arrested.
The government reacted by organising demonstrations, starting on Monday, in which hundreds of thousands of people took part. Demonstrators called for the execution of the opposition leaders, Mousavi and moderate defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi.
Concern over political unrest in Iran helped push oil prices briefly above $79 a barrel to fresh five-week highs on Tuesday and they held near that level on Wednesday.
Date created : 2009-12-31
