Iranian police use force against graveside rally

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian police fired tear gas and beat anti-government protesters with batons to disperse thousands at a graveside memorial July 30 for victims of post-election violence, witnesses and state television said.

Demonstrations that drew thousands spread to other parts of the capital Tehran and more clashes with security forces erupted. Witnesses said police fired tear gas at dozens of demonstrators on Valiasr Street who set tyres and rubbish bins ablaze in response.

Police barred opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi from joining the crowd around the grave of Neda Agha Soltan, a young woman was shot to death at a June 20 to protest the disputed presidential election. The 27-year-old music student's dying moments on the pavement were filmed and circulated widely on the Web, and her name became a rallying cry for the opposition.

When Mousavi arrived at the grave site, hundreds of police surrounded him as supporters chanted "Yaa Hossein, Mir Hossein." Police forced Mousavi to leave Behesht-e Zahra, the vast cemetery on Tehran's southern outskirts where many of those killed in the crackdown have been buried, the witnesses said.

Afterward, his supporters remained at the grave, chanting, "Death to the dictator," as the crowd swelled to several thousand, said the witnesses who asked not to be identified out of security concerns.

The police charge came when an ally of Mousavi, Mahdi Karroubi, who was also a candidate in the June 12 presidential election, tried to give a speech. Karroubi had to flee the site, and several of aides were beaten and arrested, according to pro-opposition Web sites.

Even after the clash, thousands of supporters continued to visit Soltan's grave. Passengers on the subway ride back from the cemetery to central Tehran chanted slogans against Ahmadinejad: "Traitor Mahmoud, we want you to become homeless," witnesses said.

The memorial service marked the end of the 40-day mourning period under Islam for 10 people killed in protests and clashes on June 20, including Soltan. Opposition supporters had also spoken in the past few days of holding separate memorials in various parts of Tehran at the same time, but there was no sign of other demonstrations.

According to a count by a parliament committee, 30 people were killed in the heavy crackdown by security forces after the disputed June 12 presidential election. Human rights groups, however, say the true number is likely several times that amount. Hundreds were arrested in the sweeps, including young protesters, politicians and long-time critics of the government.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Were you at Behesht Zahra on July 30? Please tell us your account of what happened, in the spaces provided below.

[AP]