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Mousavi 'ready to die' for reform Mousavi 'ready to die' for reform
(30 minutes later)
Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said he is not afraid to die for the cause of reform.Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has said he is not afraid to die for the cause of reform.
It was his first comment since the death of his nephew and other anti-government protesters late last month.It was his first comment since the death of his nephew and other anti-government protesters late last month.
In a statement posted on his website, Mr Mousavi also set out a five-stage solution to the crisis sparked by June's disputed elections.In a statement posted on his website, Mr Mousavi also set out a five-stage solution to the crisis sparked by June's disputed elections.
He said the government, parliament and judiciary must accept "direct responsibility" for the situation.He said the government, parliament and judiciary must accept "direct responsibility" for the situation.
They must also create a "transparent law" for trustworthy elections, release political prisoners, recognise press freedoms as well as the right of people to demonstrate, he added.They must also create a "transparent law" for trustworthy elections, release political prisoners, recognise press freedoms as well as the right of people to demonstrate, he added.
"I say openly that until there is an acknowledgement of the existence of a serious crisis in the country, there will be no possibility of resolving the problems and issues," he said in the statement on his Kaleme.org website."I say openly that until there is an acknowledgement of the existence of a serious crisis in the country, there will be no possibility of resolving the problems and issues," he said in the statement on his Kaleme.org website.
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
He went on to say that the arrest or killing of either himself or other opposition leaders would "not calm the situation".He went on to say that the arrest or killing of either himself or other opposition leaders would "not calm the situation".
But, without mentioning his nephew, he added: "I am not afraid to die for people's demands."But, without mentioning his nephew, he added: "I am not afraid to die for people's demands."
Mr Mousavi's nephew, Seyed Ali Mousavi, was one of at least eight people who was killed in a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests on 27 December, on the day of the Shia festival of Ashura. Pro-government rally
It was the worst violence since a series of major protests followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial re-election in June. Mr Mousavi's nephew, Seyed Ali Mousavi, was one of at least eight people who were killed in a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests on 27 December, on the day of the Shia festival of Ashura.
He was shot in the back as security forces fired on demonstrators in Tehran, his uncle's website said. Officials have denied he was shot by the police.
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
The bodies of the protesters were "retained" for forensic tests, state media reported at the time, which prevented the rapid burials that are usual under Islamic tradition.
The Mousavi family said Seyed Ali's body had been taken from the hospital without their permission, and accused the government of removing it to prevent his funeral becoming a rallying point for more protests.
The body was returned later in the week on condition the family held a quiet funeral, which they complied with, opposition websites reported.
Sunday's violence was the worst since a series of major protests followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial re-election in June.
Senior opposition figures have been arrested, and the government has blamed troublemakers for the violence.Senior opposition figures have been arrested, and the government has blamed troublemakers for the violence.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands of Iranians gathered in cities across the country in support of the government.On Wednesday, tens of thousands of Iranians gathered in cities across the country in support of the government.
They chanted "death to opponents" as they marched at the rallies, which were reportedly organised by the government in response to the opposition protests.They chanted "death to opponents" as they marched at the rallies, which were reportedly organised by the government in response to the opposition protests.