Iran: protests claim first life; Guardian Council blinks?

At least one person was killed and several wounded in Tehran’s Azadi Square when armed men opened fire on a rally by tens of thousands protesting Iran’s election results June 15. The rally was held in defiance of a ban imposed by the Interior Ministry. The shooting occurred in front of a local base of the Basij, Iran’s volunteer paramilitary force, which had been set ablaze. Police fired tear gas as protesters set several police motorbikes on fire. (AlJazeera, June 15)

Meanwhile, the Guardian Council, Iran’s top legislative body, said it will issue a ruling on complaints filed by the defeated presidential candidates within 10 days. A spokesman for the council, which must formally approve the election results for the outcome to stand, said appeals has been received from both Mir Hossein Mousavi and from Mohsen Rezaie. “After reviewing their complaints, the result will be announced to the candidates,” Abbasali Kadkhodai said. (Jerusalem Post, June 15)

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