Iran - protests

Mousavi calls for end to repression

Article published on the 2010-01-01 Latest update 2010-01-01 09:56 TU

Mir Hossein Mousavi
(Photo: Reuters)

Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi on Friday called on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government to end its crackdown on his supporters.

In his first statement since last week's deadly clashes, Mousavi demands that the government to "take responsibility for the problems it has created in the country... release political prisoners... and recognise people's right to lawful assembly."

The statement on Mousavi's Kaleme.org website calls on the authorities to recognise that there is a "grave crisis" in the country. Until it does, "there will be no possibility of resolving the problems and issues," it adds.

Mousavi, whose nephew, Ali, was among at least eight people who died during Sunday's protests, declares that he is ready to die for his cause.  

"I am not unwilling to become a martyr like those who made that sacrifice after the election for their rightful national and religious demands," he declares. ""My blood is no redder than theirs."

Mousavi refuses to back down on his accusations of fraud in the June election and accuses the government of plotting to "execute, kill or jail" himself and his allies. 

And he rejects charges that the opposition Green Movement is manipulated by foreign powers.

"I consider it necessary to stress that we and the Green Movement have an Islamic and national identity and are against the domination of foreigners," he says.

On Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of Ahmadinejad's supporters demonstrated their support for the government after several days of opposition protests.