Death in Tehran as 'millions' protest against poll
Mir Hossein Mousavi leads mass rally in Tehran protesting against disputed Iranian presidential election
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Monday, 15, Jun 2009 08:29
Shots have been fired in the Iranian capital during a mass demonstration in support of Mir Hossein Mousavi as anger over the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad grows.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-Mousavi supporters - some sources say up to two million - have thronged the streets of Tehran in protest over the presidential election results declared on Saturday.
One person reportedly died and many were injured when a pro-government militia, the Basij militia according to messages posted on Twitter, opened fire on the crowd.
"There has been sporadic shooting out there... I can see people running here," a reporter from English-language, Iran-based Press TV said.
Mr Mousavi addressed the crowd himself in what is the largest demonstration against the government in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hardline president Mr Ahmadinejad has insisted his re-election was valid, despite observers being banned from Iran and the 62.63 per cent awarded the incumbent provoking mass protests and indignation in Iran.
Reformist opposition candidate Mr Mousavi was widely expected to challenge in Friday's poll, but official results gave him just 33.75 per cent.
Two days after calling the results - which came with a turnout of 85 per cent - a "divine miracle", Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has approved a request from Mr Mousavi to investigate allegations of electoral fraud.
Mr Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard had earlier told activists not to rally today amid fears police were armed with live ammunition, but he appeared before supporters on his way to Freedom Square this afternoon.
"The vote of the people is more important than Mousavi or any other person," he said to supporters, who avoided chanting slogans so as to comply with the interior ministry ban.
The guardian council, which has been asked by the Ayatollah to investigate the claims of electoral fraud, is expected to announce the outcome into its inquiry in ten days.
Writing on his website earlier, Mr Mousavi said: "Today, I have submitted my official formal request to the council to cancel the election result.
"I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way."