Iran security clashes with cleric mourners-website

TEHRAN, (Reuters) – Iranian security forces clashed  with supporters of dead dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein  Ali Montazeri in the northwestern city of Zanjan yesterday, a  reformist website said.

The authorities have banned memorial gatherings for  Montazeri in most parts of Iran, reformist websites said, days  ahead of an emotive Shi’ite ritual that may draw more opposition  protests.

The Jaras website said some people were injured and arrests  made when the security services intervened to enforce the ban in  Zanjan.

There was no immediate comment from the authorities.

On Wednesday, an Iranian official denied reports by  opposition websites of clashes between mourners and police in  the central city of Isfahan, one of Iran’s biggest cities.

There were also reports of scuffles in his nearby hometown,  Najafabad.

Six months after a disputed election plunged the Islamic  Republic into political turmoil, tension has mounted in the  major oil producer after the death on Saturday of Montazeri, 87.

Yesterday Jaras quoted an eyewitness as saying mourners  held a memorial service in the street because the mosque was  locked.

It said a number of people were “severely wounded” and a  “large number” were arrested among the crowd who chanted  anti-government slogans such as “Oh Hossein, Mirhossein” in  reference to opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi, “Montazeri  congratulations on your freedom”, and “Down with the dictator”.

Vast crowds attended the pro-opposition cleric’s funeral  procession in the holy Shi’ite city of Qom on Monday, some  chanting anti-government slogans.

Montazeri’s death occurred in the tense run-up to Ashura on  Dec. 27, a politically important Shi’ite religious commemoration  that offers the opposition another opportunity to show its  strength. That day coincides with the seventh day of mourning  for Montazeri, when more memorial services are usually held.

“According to an announcement by the Supreme National  Security Council, with the exception of Qom and Najafabad, the  holding of any meeting (memorial service) for Montazeri will be  forbidden throughout the country,” the Kaleme website said.