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Shots fired at huge Iran protest Shots fired at huge Iran protest
(20 minutes later)
Shots have been fired during a massive rally in Iran against last week's presidential election results, with reports saying one person was killed.Shots have been fired during a massive rally in Iran against last week's presidential election results, with reports saying one person was killed.
Hundreds of thousands rallied to support candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, but a group of them was fired on from a militia base they had surrounded.Hundreds of thousands rallied to support candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, but a group of them was fired on from a militia base they had surrounded.
Mr Mousavi has lodged a legal appeal against the result but says he is not optimistic it will succeed.Mr Mousavi has lodged a legal appeal against the result but says he is not optimistic it will succeed.
He says the vote was fixed - a claim President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denies.He says the vote was fixed - a claim President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denies.
See map of Tehran protests See map of Tehran protests
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says Monday's rally was the biggest demonstration in the Islamic republic's 30-year history and described it as a "political earthquake".The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Tehran, says Monday's rally was the biggest demonstration in the Islamic republic's 30-year history and described it as a "political earthquake".
AT THE SCENE Jon LeyneReporting from Tehran It was an incredible sight. A huge crowd, hundreds of thousands of people maybe even millions of people there in defiance of open threats from the government that they should not assemble.AT THE SCENE Jon LeyneReporting from Tehran It was an incredible sight. A huge crowd, hundreds of thousands of people maybe even millions of people there in defiance of open threats from the government that they should not assemble.
The security forces were staying well away - we were even able to film and usually the secret police come in straight away and stop you.The security forces were staying well away - we were even able to film and usually the secret police come in straight away and stop you.
But the crowds were so enormous they were stepping back.But the crowds were so enormous they were stepping back.
The government had outlawed any protest following two days of unrest, with the interior ministry warning that "any disrupter of public security would be dealt with according to the law".The government had outlawed any protest following two days of unrest, with the interior ministry warning that "any disrupter of public security would be dealt with according to the law".
Despite this, correspondents said riot police had been watching the rally during the afternoon and had seemed to be taking no action.Despite this, correspondents said riot police had been watching the rally during the afternoon and had seemed to be taking no action.
The first indications of trouble came at about 2045 local time (1615 GMT), when the protesters were beginning to disperse from Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square shots.The first indications of trouble came at about 2045 local time (1615 GMT), when the protesters were beginning to disperse from Tehran's Azadi (Freedom) Square shots.
"There has been sporadic shooting out there... I can see people running here," Reuters quoted a reporter from Iran's Press TV as saying."There has been sporadic shooting out there... I can see people running here," Reuters quoted a reporter from Iran's Press TV as saying.
"A number of people who are armed, I don't know exactly who they are, but they have started to fire on people causing havoc in Azadi Square.""A number of people who are armed, I don't know exactly who they are, but they have started to fire on people causing havoc in Azadi Square."
A photographer at the scene told news agencies that security forces had killed one protester and seriously wounded several others. A man is said to have been arrested over the shooting.A photographer at the scene told news agencies that security forces had killed one protester and seriously wounded several others. A man is said to have been arrested over the shooting.
At work today, they weren't letting people leave the office to attend Mousavi's demonstration MaryanTehran civil servant Bypassing Iran's firewalls Editors' blog: Stop the jamming Obama's cautious reactionAt work today, they weren't letting people leave the office to attend Mousavi's demonstration MaryanTehran civil servant Bypassing Iran's firewalls Editors' blog: Stop the jamming Obama's cautious reaction
He said the shooting began when the crowd attacked a compound used by a religious militia linked to the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard.He said the shooting began when the crowd attacked a compound used by a religious militia linked to the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard.
Other sources told the BBC as many as six people might have died in the incident.Other sources told the BBC as many as six people might have died in the incident.
The AFP news agency reported that police fired tear gas and groups of protesters set motorbikes alight.The AFP news agency reported that police fired tear gas and groups of protesters set motorbikes alight.
A BBC correspondent said there had also been gunfire in the north of the city - traditionally an anti-government stronghold - and that the security forces appeared to be hunting down protesters.A BBC correspondent said there had also been gunfire in the north of the city - traditionally an anti-government stronghold - and that the security forces appeared to be hunting down protesters.
There was a large police presence on major streets of the city on Monday night, but evidence of few ordinary people, our correspondent added.
Ayatollah's interventionAyatollah's intervention
Earlier, the demonstrators had gathered in Tehran's Enghelab (Revolution) Square, chanting pro-Mousavi slogans, before marching to Azadi Square.Earlier, the demonstrators had gathered in Tehran's Enghelab (Revolution) Square, chanting pro-Mousavi slogans, before marching to Azadi Square.
"Mousavi we support you. We will die, but retrieve our votes," they shouted, many wearing the green of Mousavi's election campaign."Mousavi we support you. We will die, but retrieve our votes," they shouted, many wearing the green of Mousavi's election campaign.
Fire on the streets of Tehran as mass protests continueFire on the streets of Tehran as mass protests continue
And Mr Mousavi eventually appeared, addressing the crowd from the roof of his car.And Mr Mousavi eventually appeared, addressing the crowd from the roof of his car.
"The vote of the people is more important than Mousavi or any other person," he told his supporters."The vote of the people is more important than Mousavi or any other person," he told his supporters.
His wife, Zahra Rahnavard, a high-profile supporter of her husband's campaign, later said they would keep up their protests. "We will stand until the end," she told the AFP.His wife, Zahra Rahnavard, a high-profile supporter of her husband's campaign, later said they would keep up their protests. "We will stand until the end," she told the AFP.
The renewed protests come after Mr Mousavi and fellow defeated candidate Mohsen Rezai filed official complaints against the election result with the Guardian Council - the country's powerful clerical group.The renewed protests come after Mr Mousavi and fellow defeated candidate Mohsen Rezai filed official complaints against the election result with the Guardian Council - the country's powerful clerical group.
POST-POLL CRACKDOWN More than 100 opposition figures arrested, including the brother of ex-reformist President KhatamiLocal and international phone and text message services interruptedSocial networking and newspaper websites blocked"Heavy electronic jamming" from inside Iran disrupts BBC Persian TV serviceInternational journalists arrested and asked to leaveIranian newspapers do not carry reports of the violence Source: Various reports Guide: How Iran is ruled Internet brings events to life Challenge to republicPOST-POLL CRACKDOWN More than 100 opposition figures arrested, including the brother of ex-reformist President KhatamiLocal and international phone and text message services interruptedSocial networking and newspaper websites blocked"Heavy electronic jamming" from inside Iran disrupts BBC Persian TV serviceInternational journalists arrested and asked to leaveIranian newspapers do not carry reports of the violence Source: Various reports Guide: How Iran is ruled Internet brings events to life Challenge to republic
State television reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has upheld the election result, urged the Guardian Council to "precisely consider" the complaints.State television reported that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has upheld the election result, urged the Guardian Council to "precisely consider" the complaints.
The 12-member council is due to meet Mr Mousavi and Mr Rezai on Tuesday.The 12-member council is due to meet Mr Mousavi and Mr Rezai on Tuesday.
Its head said the decision would be taken soon.Its head said the decision would be taken soon.
"I hope it will not take long that the noble people will see that the question has been examined in the best way and we will give the result to the people," Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati told state television on Monday."I hope it will not take long that the noble people will see that the question has been examined in the best way and we will give the result to the people," Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati told state television on Monday.
But the Iranian leadership has put itself in an impossible position, our Tehran correspondent says.But the Iranian leadership has put itself in an impossible position, our Tehran correspondent says.
He says that Ayatollah Khamenei has given his complete endorsement to the election result and to President Ahmadinejad, and by doing so he has put at risk the very foundations of the Islamic republic.He says that Ayatollah Khamenei has given his complete endorsement to the election result and to President Ahmadinejad, and by doing so he has put at risk the very foundations of the Islamic republic.
And Mr Mousavi's website quoted him as telling crowds on Monday that he was "not very optimistic" about the judgment of the Guardian Council.And Mr Mousavi's website quoted him as telling crowds on Monday that he was "not very optimistic" about the judgment of the Guardian Council.
"Many of its members during the election were not impartial and supported the government candidate," Mr Mousavi said."Many of its members during the election were not impartial and supported the government candidate," Mr Mousavi said.
Dozens of opposition activists have been arrested since the protests began, while internet sites appear to have been blocked and the media heavily restricted.Dozens of opposition activists have been arrested since the protests began, while internet sites appear to have been blocked and the media heavily restricted.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was following the situation closely.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was following the situation closely.
"The position of me and the United Nations is that the genuine will of the Iranian people should be fully respected," he told reporters."The position of me and the United Nations is that the genuine will of the Iranian people should be fully respected," he told reporters.
EU foreign ministers expressed "serious concern" and called for an inquiry into the conduct of the election, while France and Germany each summoned their Iranian ambassadors to explain what was going on.EU foreign ministers expressed "serious concern" and called for an inquiry into the conduct of the election, while France and Germany each summoned their Iranian ambassadors to explain what was going on.
Ahmadinejad supporters protested at French and UK embassies in TehranAhmadinejad supporters protested at French and UK embassies in Tehran
German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the use of "completely unacceptable" force against protesters and called for a "transparent evaluation of the election result".German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the use of "completely unacceptable" force against protesters and called for a "transparent evaluation of the election result".
Groups of Ahmadinejad supporters gathered outside French and British embassies in Tehran, protesting against what they consider to be foreign interference in Iran's affairs.Groups of Ahmadinejad supporters gathered outside French and British embassies in Tehran, protesting against what they consider to be foreign interference in Iran's affairs.
"We have gathered here to protest the hidden interference of the Brits and the world, who are trying to create chaos in our country," one protester said."We have gathered here to protest the hidden interference of the Brits and the world, who are trying to create chaos in our country," one protester said.
The French government issued a statement saying they had told Iranian diplomats that security forces "must protect the French embassy".The French government issued a statement saying they had told Iranian diplomats that security forces "must protect the French embassy".
Among the countries congratulating Mr Ahmadinejad on his victory were Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela and North Korea.Among the countries congratulating Mr Ahmadinejad on his victory were Iraq, Afghanistan, Venezuela and North Korea.


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