CNN
Clashes erupted as two of Iran's main opposition leaders tried to join the several thousand people at a memorial for the slain woman who became the symbol of Iran's post-election violence, witnesses said.
Security forces barred opposition leaders Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karrubi from the grave site of Neda Agha-Soltan, the 26-year-old woman shot in election protests on June 20, witnesses and news reports said. About 2,000 to 3,000 people were gathered at Agha-Soltan's grave, Iran's Press TV reported.
Mourners arrived on the religiously significant 40th day after the fatal shooting in Tehran. For Iranians, a predominantly Shiite Muslim population, the 40th day after a death marks the last official day of mourning.
Security forces worked to clear the area of demonstrators and mourners. A witness said riot police and Basij militia were there, but confrontations with people in the crowd involved the militia.
The witness spotted instances of the baton-wielding militia charging the gathering, and reported as many as nine beatings. Other people appeared to have been beaten as they ran from police, the witness said.
| Kalani |
July 30th, 2009 5:33 pm ET What a sad commentary on Iran's government for not allowing its people to grieve and mourn. Woe to those who deprive and depress those wanting to respect and bring honor and dignity to the injust murder of beautiful Neda. The government should be looking for the cowardly murderer of the young coed. Aloha nö. |
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