Iranian riot police are reported to have arrested a number of pro-reform protesters in Tehran after demonstrations turned violent. Police clashed with hundreds of people marching despite a ban on public gatherings since the disputed election in June, Reuters news agency said. The re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sparked widespread protests and allegations of vote-rigging. Defeated candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi has continued to contest the result. Mr Mousavi has issued statements opposing the election result, saying detention of protesters would not end opposition. The latest reports of clashes in the streets came as pro-reform supporters planned to stage a new form of protest. Activists are being urged to turn off lights and domestic appliances at 2055 local time (1625 GMT). Five minutes later, at 2100, they then plan to switch on appliances that consume large amounts of electricity, such as irons, toasters and microwave ovens. Activist leaders hope the resulting surge in demand could cause a power outage and cloak Tehran in darkness, allowing some the chance to protest on the streets. Since the announcement that Mr Ahmadinejad had won June’s presidential election, Mr Mousavi – reformist former prime minister of Iran – has received backing from several senior figures within the Iranian establishment. Among them are two former presidents, Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami. On Monday Mr Khatami called for a referendum on the legitimac… >>>
