Tehran, Dec 27 (DPA) Demonstrators returned to the streets of Tehran Sunday and police fired tear gas to quell the protests, witnesses and opposition website reports said.
The protests were reportedly held near Tehran University in the city’s centre, which was the scene of protests and clashes Saturday as well.
Police deployed throughout the Iranian capital Sunday to confront demonstrations against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, witnesses and opposition websites reported.
The opposition website Jaras claimed that during the fierce clashes, three protesters were killed by police and security agents and two injured but there is no independent confirmation of the report.
Opposition groups had announced that they would take advantage of the weekend’s annual mourning ceremonies of Tassua and Ashura – marking the martyrdom of the third Shiite Imam Hossein – to protest against Ahmadinejad.
Police broke up sporadic protests and clashes in Tehran Saturday with tear gas and shooting into the air to disperse the crowds.
A speech by former reformist president Mohammad Khatami in northern Tehran had to be cancelled after pro-Ahmadinejad elements forcefully disrupted the session.
The incident led to spontaneous protests for several hours until anti-riot police were deployed.
The widespread protests started after the June 12 presidential voting, which led to the disputed re-election of Ahmadinejad amid charges of fraud from the political opposition.
