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Iran
Police fire tear gas on crowd after Rafsanjani speech
Article published on the 2009-07-17 Latest update 2009-07-17 15:16 TU
Supporters of opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi protest in the streets of Tehran.
(Photo: Reuters)
Thousands of supporters of defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi massed into the streets around Tehran University Friday following a sermon by former President Akbar Rafsanjani, in which he called for all those detained during post-election demonstrations be freed.
Police fired tear gas into the crowd at the first major gathering of opposition supporters since June 20, when demonstrations degenerated into violent clashes with police and Republican Guards.
People had flooded into the streets shortly before Rafsanjani began his weekly sermon amid rumors that Mousavi, who hasn’t been seen in public for several weeks, would be there.
Journalist Najmé Bozorgmehr told RFI Rafsanjani had made a very strong statement when he told the crowd the country was in crisis and that all political sides were losers.
"Considering that he is now the main supporter of the opposition inside the regime, his comments today are very significant," Bozorgmehr said. "Today was historic in terms of the number of people who showed up for Friday prayers and it was certainly the biggest crowd ever showing up for Rafsanjani."
Interview: Journalist Najmé Bozorgmehr in Tehran
At the beginning of his talk, which was broadcast live on state radio, Rafsanjani, who has been tight-lipped since the June 12 elections, announced he would propose a solution to the political situation.
He said the Guardian council, which he heads, had debated the question. “Our key issue is to regain the trust which the people had and which has now to some extent been lost.”
The former president went on to call for the release of more than 400 protestors arrested during the demonstrations.
"It is not necessary that in this situation people be jailed. Let them join their families. We should not allow enemies to rebuke and ridicule us because of detentions. We should tolerate each other," he said.
