Iran 'takes significant steps in identifying rioters'

Iran's Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi says his ministry has undertaken measures to identify elements behind Sunday riots in Tehran.

The Iranian minister noted that the information his ministry had gained through the interrogation of those arrested over the last few days, including the identification of individuals who had a role in the riots, was satisfactory and positive.

"The Intelligence Ministry has obtained good clues in respect to the elements who had a role in the recent riots," Moslehi said in a televised interview on Thursday.

"This unrest is different from that of the past and is a prearranged counter-revolutionary movement, designed by agents of sedition," he added.

Moslehi's remarks come in the wake of anti-government unrest during Ashura ceremonies marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH). Seven people were confirmed dead in the Sunday protests.

The Intelligence Ministry had warned the rioters not to be manipulated or influenced by foreign elements who are said to be behind the recent incidents in the country.

The ministry said in a statement on Thursday that it will take the steps required in dealing with those who incite riots or violence in the country.

Moslehi expressed hope that Iran's judiciary will deal firmly with those involved in the unrest.

On Wednesday, in response to the desecration of Ashura during Sunday riots, millions of Iranians across the country took to the streets in a show of strength and unity against anti-government protesters.

Meanwhile in a recently published statement, defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi rejected the allegations of his affiliations to western foes. He said he and his supporters are neither American, nor British.

Mousavi denounced those who disrespect the religious beliefs of the Iranian nation and dismissed the reports that his supporters desecrated the holy Qur'an and Ashura mourning ceremonies in Tehran last week.

He said if disrespect has taken place on the Ashura day, he and his supporters disapprove of it. The former Iranian prime minister condemned the killing of people during the Sunday demonstration in Tehran, describing it as the worst act of disrespect in the holy month of Muharram.

He also asserted that his supporters have never torn down the picture of the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini.

The defeated presidential candidate also called on the government to take responsibility for what he termed 'problems and shortcomings,' urging an amendment to the election law.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=115104§ionid=351020101.