Tension as security forces flood Tehran

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8186677.stm

Version 0 of 1.

As Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in as president on Wednesday opposition supporters gathered outside the Iranian parliament and were met by hundreds of riot police.

Mehdi, not his real name, told BBC Persian of the huge security presence at Baharestan Square near the parliament.

<hr/>

As I turned off the square, I froze on the spot - I couldn't believe my eyes at the number of vehicles and motorbikes lined up on the road

I realised the situation was serious when the metro driver said the train would not be stopping at Mellat or Baharestan stations near the parliament.

People had planned to come by car and cause a traffic jam. But all the roads to the square were blocked and cars were not allowed in the area.

Anti-riot police were out in force, and there was a severe security crackdown. At the top of every street there were Basijis [militia] and plain clothed guards - in extraordinary numbers. I think out of every ten people, three of them were security personnel.

When I arrived Baharestan Square, I saw more Basijis on motorbikes with batons in their hands.

As I turned into Safi Ali Shah Road off the square, I froze on the spot - I couldn't believe my eyes at the number of vehicles and motorbikes lined up on the road.

It was packed full of special guards in black uniforms, they were standing around chatting and laughing, but ready for action.

There were minibuses full of Sepah forces [Revolutionary Guards], and many of them were still asleep - I suppose they had been brought in early in the morning.

I came round the front of the station again and saw that the security forces had formed a human chain in front of the parliament.

'Guards were right amongst the people'

Protestors had planned to circulate around the parliament building. But if anyone stood still for a moment, they would be quickly pounced on by four or five guards.

On previous demonstrations, the guards had stood back from the crowds. But on this day, they were right amongst the people. On the slightest suspicion, they would grab individuals and take them away to a side street.

One Basiji stopped me and said: 'I've been watching you for an hour now, you've been hanging around here, what exactly are you up to?'

If they saw anyone using a mobile, even just to make a call, they would seize them.

Then a helicopter passed over our heads towards parliament. Later we realised this must be have been Ahmadinejad arriving for the ceremony.

The Basijis on bikes had circled the whole square - they formed a chain, each about three metres apart. One of them stopped me and said: "I've been watching you for an hour now, you've been hanging around here, what exactly are you up to?"

I tried to laugh it off and be relaxed and said: "I'm not up to anything, I'm just looking, I will go now."

He replied: "If I see your face here one more time, I'll sort you out."

But it was clear they were really nervous, because the crowds had really grown. They worked in teams of three or four, not alone. I saw some people being arrested too.

At around 10am there was a struggle in one corner. Basijis suddenly descended on the scuffle from all sides.

There had been some chanting on the metro in 15 Khordad station - people were chanting "death to the dictator" and "God is great".

But there were no chants in Baharestan Square itself. If anyone dared raise their voice, they would be arrested. I left around noon and headed back home.