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'Clashes' as Iran cleric buried 'Clashes' as Iran cleric buried
(about 2 hours later)
Iranian reformist supporters have clashed with police following the funeral of a dissident cleric, opposition websites say.Iranian reformist supporters have clashed with police following the funeral of a dissident cleric, opposition websites say.
Earlier tens of thousands took part in a procession for Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri in the holy city of Qom.Earlier tens of thousands took part in a procession for Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri in the holy city of Qom.
Clashes reportedly broke out but the scale of the confrontation is not clear, says a BBC correspondent.Clashes reportedly broke out but the scale of the confrontation is not clear, says a BBC correspondent.
Ayatollah Montazeri, who was 87, had called President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election a fraud. Ayatollah Montazeri, who was 87, had denounced President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election as a fraud.
The reformist Jaras website said mourners were chanting slogans in support of the grand ayatollah and also of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi. The reformist Jaras website said mourners chanted slogans in support of the grand ayatollah and also of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Mr Mousavi took part in the procession along with fellow opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi.
Another site, Rahesabz.net, said some members of the hardline pro-government faction Ansar Hezbollah tried to stop chanting in the crowd, but left "after clashing with some people".Another site, Rahesabz.net, said some members of the hardline pro-government faction Ansar Hezbollah tried to stop chanting in the crowd, but left "after clashing with some people".
Many mourners were carrying green banners or wearing green - the colour of Iran's opposition.Many mourners were carrying green banners or wearing green - the colour of Iran's opposition.
DEFIANT CLERIC Born into provincial family in 1922 and educated at a seminaryArrested and tortured for leading protests against Iran monarchyDesignated successor to Islamic Republic's founder, KhomeiniFell out with Khomeini in 1989 over Iran's human rights recordHouse arrest in 1997 for criticising current Supreme LeaderIssues a fatwa against President Ahmadinejad after 2009's election Obituary: Ayatollah Montazeri Analysis: Government's challengeDEFIANT CLERIC Born into provincial family in 1922 and educated at a seminaryArrested and tortured for leading protests against Iran monarchyDesignated successor to Islamic Republic's founder, KhomeiniFell out with Khomeini in 1989 over Iran's human rights recordHouse arrest in 1997 for criticising current Supreme LeaderIssues a fatwa against President Ahmadinejad after 2009's election Obituary: Ayatollah Montazeri Analysis: Government's challenge
Opposition website Kaleme.org said that following the funeral, some mourners threw stones at police surrounding the grand ayatollah's house and clashes with security forces followed.Opposition website Kaleme.org said that following the funeral, some mourners threw stones at police surrounding the grand ayatollah's house and clashes with security forces followed.
Footage broadcast on the internet also showed thousands of mourners marching in the cleric's hometown of Najafabad, near the central city of Isfahan.
They beat their chests and chanted: "Oppressed Montazeri, you are with God now."
The government knows the funeral is one demonstration it cannot forbid, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne, although it fears it could spark another round of protests.The government knows the funeral is one demonstration it cannot forbid, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne, although it fears it could spark another round of protests.
In response, authorities have imposed strict new restrictions on the media, both foreign and domestic.In response, authorities have imposed strict new restrictions on the media, both foreign and domestic.
Leading up to the funeral, buses carrying mourners were stopped and some passengers reportedly arrested.Leading up to the funeral, buses carrying mourners were stopped and some passengers reportedly arrested.
The Jaras website said a student of the grand ayatollah, Ahmad Qabel, had been detained on his way to the funeral.The Jaras website said a student of the grand ayatollah, Ahmad Qabel, had been detained on his way to the funeral.
Meanwhile, the BBC says fresh attempts have been made to jam its Persian television service to Iran.Meanwhile, the BBC says fresh attempts have been made to jam its Persian television service to Iran.
Persistent interference started on Sunday shortly after the channel began coverage of the grand ayatollah's death, the corporation said.Persistent interference started on Sunday shortly after the channel began coverage of the grand ayatollah's death, the corporation said.
BBC Persian TV suffered similar attacks during the Iranian presidential elections in June.BBC Persian TV suffered similar attacks during the Iranian presidential elections in June.
Mr Mousavi and fellow opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi had called for a huge turnout, and reports said they joined the procession from the grand ayatollah's home. Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi were both presidential candidates in last June's disputed elections.
Both Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi were presidential candidates in last June's disputed elections.
Anger at the result saw mass protests in Tehran and other cities which led to thousands of arrests and some deaths.Anger at the result saw mass protests in Tehran and other cities which led to thousands of arrests and some deaths.
HAVE YOUR SAYI believe that Ayatollah Montazeri's death may end up in another violent protest of brave anti-government protestsPeter Riley, US Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI believe that Ayatollah Montazeri's death may end up in another violent protest of brave anti-government protestsPeter Riley, US Send us your comments
Opposition leaders have called for Monday to be a national day of mourning. They have called for Monday to be a national day of mourning.
The grand ayatollah was one of Shia Islam's most respected figures.The grand ayatollah was one of Shia Islam's most respected figures.
He was an architect of the 1979 revolution that created Iran's Islamic state but later became a vocal critic of the government. He died of natural causes in Qom on Saturday night.He was an architect of the 1979 revolution that created Iran's Islamic state but later became a vocal critic of the government. He died of natural causes in Qom on Saturday night.
'The rioters' cleric''The rioters' cleric'
On Sunday following news of the grand ayatollah's death, a large crowd quickly gathered outside his home in Qom to pay respects.On Sunday following news of the grand ayatollah's death, a large crowd quickly gathered outside his home in Qom to pay respects.
Sporadic gatherings were also reported in Tehran and other cities.Sporadic gatherings were also reported in Tehran and other cities.
Foreign media have been restricted in Iran since the post-election protests and it is often difficult to verify reports. No foreign media has been allowed to attend the funeral.Foreign media have been restricted in Iran since the post-election protests and it is often difficult to verify reports. No foreign media has been allowed to attend the funeral.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did offer his condolences on Sunday, praising Grand Ayatollah Montazeri as an outstanding jurist.Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did offer his condolences on Sunday, praising Grand Ayatollah Montazeri as an outstanding jurist.
However, the supreme leader tempered this with criticism, saying he hoped God would forgive the grand ayatollah for failing his "crucial test".However, the supreme leader tempered this with criticism, saying he hoped God would forgive the grand ayatollah for failing his "crucial test".
This was a reference to Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's falling out with the leader of the revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.This was a reference to Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's falling out with the leader of the revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
State news agency Irna did not use the ayatollah title in its early reports of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's death and referred to him as the "rioters' cleric".State news agency Irna did not use the ayatollah title in its early reports of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's death and referred to him as the "rioters' cleric".
The White House praised the grand ayatollah, saying he had been "known and internationally respected for his unwavering commitment to universal rights".The White House praised the grand ayatollah, saying he had been "known and internationally respected for his unwavering commitment to universal rights".
MONTAZERI BBC INTERVIEWS Exchanged e-mails detailing views on reform in Oct 2009Interviewed at his home in Qom in June 2008Click below to read details E-mail exchanges Visiting Iran's ayatollahs Your memoriesMONTAZERI BBC INTERVIEWS Exchanged e-mails detailing views on reform in Oct 2009Interviewed at his home in Qom in June 2008Click below to read details E-mail exchanges Visiting Iran's ayatollahs Your memories
Hoseyn Ali Montazeri was one of the early backers of Ayatollah Khomeini and was designated to succeed him.Hoseyn Ali Montazeri was one of the early backers of Ayatollah Khomeini and was designated to succeed him.
But the pair fell out over Iran's human rights record a few months before Ayatollah Khomeini died of cancer in 1989.But the pair fell out over Iran's human rights record a few months before Ayatollah Khomeini died of cancer in 1989.
In 1997 he famously clashed with Ayatollah Khamenei, whom he outranked in the religious hierarchy, after questioning the powers of the supreme leader.In 1997 he famously clashed with Ayatollah Khamenei, whom he outranked in the religious hierarchy, after questioning the powers of the supreme leader.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri repeatedly accused the country's rulers of imposing dictatorship in the name of Islam and said the liberation that was supposed to have followed the 1979 revolution never happened.Grand Ayatollah Montazeri repeatedly accused the country's rulers of imposing dictatorship in the name of Islam and said the liberation that was supposed to have followed the 1979 revolution never happened.
Then, despite his old age and failing health, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri backed the opposition's claims that the 2009 election result, which gave Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a landslide victory, had been widely rigged.Then, despite his old age and failing health, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri backed the opposition's claims that the 2009 election result, which gave Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a landslide victory, had been widely rigged.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri said Iran's leadership was a dictatorship and issued a fatwa condemning the government.Grand Ayatollah Montazeri said Iran's leadership was a dictatorship and issued a fatwa condemning the government.