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'Clashes' at Iran cleric ceremony 'Clashes' at Iran cleric ceremony
(about 2 hours later)
Iranian security forces have clashed with crowds of opposition supporters in the city of Isfahan, according to opposition website reports.Iranian security forces have clashed with crowds of opposition supporters in the city of Isfahan, according to opposition website reports.
Activists said police used tear gas and batons to disperse people gathering to commemorate Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri, who died at the weekend.Activists said police used tear gas and batons to disperse people gathering to commemorate Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri, who died at the weekend.
The cleric was one of the country's most influential dissidents.The cleric was one of the country's most influential dissidents.
On Monday, tens of thousands attended his funeral in the holy city of Qom - many shouting anti-government slogans.On Monday, tens of thousands attended his funeral in the holy city of Qom - many shouting anti-government slogans.
'Fiercely confronted''Fiercely confronted'
The funeral saw reports of clashes between security forces and mourners - with confrontations continuing Qom on Tuesday. The funeral saw reports of clashes between security forces and mourners - with confrontations continuing in Qom on Tuesday.
State television reported that government supporters staged counter-demonstrations on Tuesday and Wednesday in Qom.State television reported that government supporters staged counter-demonstrations on Tuesday and Wednesday in Qom.
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
Reformists say there has also been unrest in the ayatollah's home city of Najafabad over the past two days.Reformists say there has also been unrest in the ayatollah's home city of Najafabad over the past two days.
BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the confrontations are all part of a build-up to a big series of demonstrations expected at the weekend.BBC Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the confrontations are all part of a build-up to a big series of demonstrations expected at the weekend.
The authorities have not yet confirmed the unrest in Isfahan, but the country's police chief warned on Wednesday that protests would not be tolerated. The authorities have not yet confirmed the unrest in Isfahan, but the country's police chief warned on Wednesday that opposition protests would not be tolerated.
"We advise this movement to end their activities," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam as saying."We advise this movement to end their activities," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam as saying.
"Otherwise those who violate the order will be fiercely confronted, based on the law.""Otherwise those who violate the order will be fiercely confronted, based on the law."
The Rahesabz website said crowds of opposition supporters had gathered at a mosque in Isfahan for a memorial service for the ayatollah. Witnesses told the BBC that people had gathered at Isfahan's main mosque for a memorial service, but when they arrived the doors were closed and security forces told them to leave.
But hundreds of police and plain-clothes security officers were already there. "Little by little some clashes broke out and security used tear gas and pepper gas," one witness said.
The website said opposition supporters had been injured and there were a number of arrests. "They took people in the shops and beat them up mostly out of public vision although some beatings happened outside on the streets."
Another witness, who gave his name as Soheil, said security officers "beat people savagely" and did not care if the people were "women, men, old or young".
It had taken about two hours to disperse the crowd, he said.
The Rahesabz website said hundreds of police and plain-clothes security officers were involved.
Another reformist website, Parlemannews, said more than 50 people had been detained.Another reformist website, Parlemannews, said more than 50 people had been detained.
The ayatollah's funeral was attended by several leading opposition figures, including Mir Hossein Mousavi. Reports are difficult to verify independently as foreign journalists have been restricted since the unrest that followed June's disputed presidential election.
Mr Mousavi, who came second in this year's presidential election, has been an outspoken critic of the current government and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The ayatollah's funeral in Qom was attended by several leading opposition figures, including Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Mr Mousavi, who came second in the presidential election, has been an outspoken critic of the current government and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
On Tuesday, Mr Mousavi was dismissed as head of the Council for Cultural Revolution, an arts institution affiliated to the president's office.On Tuesday, Mr Mousavi was dismissed as head of the Council for Cultural Revolution, an arts institution affiliated to the president's office.
In recent days hardliners have urged Iran's judiciary to put Mr Mousavi on trial for instigating unrest. In recent days, hardliners have urged Iran's judiciary to put Mr Mousavi on trial for instigating unrest.