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Shot Iran reformer 'got threats' Shot Iran reformer 'got threats'
(20 minutes later)
The nephew of Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was threatened days before he was killed in Sunday's protests, a prominent supporter says.The nephew of Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was threatened days before he was killed in Sunday's protests, a prominent supporter says.
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, a film-maker based in Paris, told the BBC that secret police called Seyed Ali Mousavi several times, saying: "We will kill you."Mohsen Makhmalbaf, a film-maker based in Paris, told the BBC that secret police called Seyed Ali Mousavi several times, saying: "We will kill you."
But a police statement reportedly said Mr Mousavi was killed by "terrorists".But a police statement reportedly said Mr Mousavi was killed by "terrorists".
Meanwhile Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Western countries of organising the protests. Meanwhile a regional representative of Iran's supreme leader said opposition leaders should be executed.
"Those who are behind the current sedition in the country ... are mohareb [enemies of God] and the law is very clear about punishment of a mohareb," state TV quoted Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabasi, an influential figure in Khorasan province, as saying.
The sentence for mohareb under Iran's Sharia law is death.
Earlier Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Western countries of organising the protests.
Tehran has rejected international calls for it to halt the crackdown. State media say at least eight people died in the protests.Tehran has rejected international calls for it to halt the crackdown. State media say at least eight people died in the protests.
The Irna news agency quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as describing the opposition rallies as a "nauseating masquerade".The Irna news agency quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as describing the opposition rallies as a "nauseating masquerade".
"Iranians have seen lots of these games," he said."Iranians have seen lots of these games," he said.
"Americans and Zionists are the sole audience of a play they have commissioned and sold out.""Americans and Zionists are the sole audience of a play they have commissioned and sold out."
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi said her sister Nooshin had been arrested by the intelligence services
  • Three journalists and a women's rights campaigner were also detained, along with several senior opposition figures, according to opposition sources
  • The UK ambassador was summoned by the government to be accused of "interference" in state matters
  • Tens of thousands of government supporters rallied in Tehran, according to state media
  • Pro- and anti-government demonstrations were reported in the city of Shiraz, where a cleric named as Ayatollah Dastgheyb was said to be holed up in a mosque and under attack from Basij militia
  • Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi said her sister Nooshin had been arrested by the intelligence services
  • Three journalists and a women's rights campaigner were also detained, along with several senior opposition figures, according to opposition sources
  • The UK ambassador was summoned by the government to be accused of "interference" in state matters
  • Tens of thousands of government supporters rallied in Tehran, according to state media
  • Pro- and anti-government demonstrations were reported in the city of Shiraz, where a cleric named as Ayatollah Dastgheyb was said to be holed up in a mosque and under attack from Basij militia
'Isolated and monitored''Isolated and monitored'
Mr Makhmalbaf said the alleged death threats against Seyed Ali Mousavi were part of the government's continuing attempts to weaken the opposition.Mr Makhmalbaf said the alleged death threats against Seyed Ali Mousavi were part of the government's continuing attempts to weaken the opposition.
RECENT UNREST IN IRAN 19 Dec: Influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri dies aged 8721 Dec: Tens of thousands attend his funeral in Qom; reports of clashes between opposition supporters and security forces22 Dec: Further confrontations reported in Qom23 Dec: More clashes reported in city of Isfahan as memorial is held24 Dec: Iran reportedly bans further memorial services for Montazeri except in his birthplace and Qom26 Dec: Clashes reported in central and northern Tehran27 Dec: At least eight dead following anti-government protests in Tehran; 300 reported arrested World reacts to Iran violence In pictures: Tehran clashesRECENT UNREST IN IRAN 19 Dec: Influential dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri dies aged 8721 Dec: Tens of thousands attend his funeral in Qom; reports of clashes between opposition supporters and security forces22 Dec: Further confrontations reported in Qom23 Dec: More clashes reported in city of Isfahan as memorial is held24 Dec: Iran reportedly bans further memorial services for Montazeri except in his birthplace and Qom26 Dec: Clashes reported in central and northern Tehran27 Dec: At least eight dead following anti-government protests in Tehran; 300 reported arrested World reacts to Iran violence In pictures: Tehran clashes
"During last week of his life, several times, the Iranian secret police call him and inform him that 'we will kill you' and they did," he told the BBC World Service's Newshour programme, before describing his death."During last week of his life, several times, the Iranian secret police call him and inform him that 'we will kill you' and they did," he told the BBC World Service's Newshour programme, before describing his death.
"From one car, five persons from secret police came in front of him and shot at his chest and before he arrived at hospital he was dead.""From one car, five persons from secret police came in front of him and shot at his chest and before he arrived at hospital he was dead."
A police statement, quoted by AFP news agency, said Mr Mousavi had been shot by "people aboard a vehicle".A police statement, quoted by AFP news agency, said Mr Mousavi had been shot by "people aboard a vehicle".
But it added that "an extensive investigation is ongoing to identify the terrorists behind the incident".But it added that "an extensive investigation is ongoing to identify the terrorists behind the incident".
Mr Makhmalbaf said Mr Mousavi's uncle was being isolated and closely monitored by the authorities.Mr Makhmalbaf said Mr Mousavi's uncle was being isolated and closely monitored by the authorities.
"He's in a very bad situation," he said."He's in a very bad situation," he said.
"The police have arrested all of his assistants and he's under control in everything. He can't speak by phone with his friends. He's using pen and paper to [communicate], even in his house."The police have arrested all of his assistants and he's under control in everything. He can't speak by phone with his friends. He's using pen and paper to [communicate], even in his house.
"He is in his house. He can come out, but not freely because the bodyguards for him are from the Revolutionary Guard.""He is in his house. He can come out, but not freely because the bodyguards for him are from the Revolutionary Guard."
The official death toll from Sunday's protests is the highest since JuneThe official death toll from Sunday's protests is the highest since June
Meanwhile the US-based son of another opposition leader, Ebrahim Yazdi, said his father's arrest would not hinder attempts to bring democracy to Iran.Meanwhile the US-based son of another opposition leader, Ebrahim Yazdi, said his father's arrest would not hinder attempts to bring democracy to Iran.
"The government is using the tools of fear and intimidation, but the key is not to allow that to slow anybody down," Youseph Yazdi said in an interview for US National Public Radio."The government is using the tools of fear and intimidation, but the key is not to allow that to slow anybody down," Youseph Yazdi said in an interview for US National Public Radio.
On Monday, state-owned English-language Press TV said eight people had died. State TV had earlier reported that at least 15 people were killed.On Monday, state-owned English-language Press TV said eight people had died. State TV had earlier reported that at least 15 people were killed.
The official death toll is the highest since June, when mass protests were sparked by President Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election.The official death toll is the highest since June, when mass protests were sparked by President Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election.
Iranian security forces have been on alert since the influential dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri, died earlier this month.Iranian security forces have been on alert since the influential dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri, died earlier this month.
His funeral attracted tens of thousands of opposition supporters, many of whom shouted anti-government slogans.His funeral attracted tens of thousands of opposition supporters, many of whom shouted anti-government slogans.
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