Thousands of Iranian supporters of reformist presidential candidate Mir
Hossein Mousavi have defied a ban on rallies to protest in Tehran
against the disputed re-election of Iran's conservative president.
The pro-Mousavi activists rallied in downtown Tehran Monday, despite a
government warning that it would be illegal. Riot police were on the
scene but did not stop the rally. Mr. Mousavi said he planned to attend
the rally to calm the crowd.
The protesters chanted for Mr. Mousavi to retrieve their votes from
Friday's election. The reformist candidate has accused the government
of voter fraud. Official results gave a landslide victory to President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with Mr. Mousavi a distant second.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei asked the powerful Guardian
Council of Islamic clerics Monday to investigate allegations of voter
fraud. Mr. Mousavi appealed to the Council Sunday to cancel the
election results.
President Ahmadinejad says the election was free and fair.