- Title: IRAN: Tehran residents assessing the damage after a night of violent clashes
- Date: 15th June 2009
- Summary: STREET SCENES IRANIAN FLAG STREET SCENES
- Embargoed: 30th June 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA60VI4SJ42P0YAB0CL7N5VX59T
- Story Text: Residents of Iran's capital wake up to the aftermath of violent street clashes. Iranian TV reports on protests.
Residents of Iran's capital on Sunday (June 14) were assessing the damage after a night of opposition clashes with police following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's electoral win.
Newspaper headlines were reporting on the election.
Days prior to the 10th poll, Tehran's most famous boulevard was the scene of joy and celebration as supporters of moderate candidate Mirhossein Mousavi vented their desire for social and political change in the Islamic Republic.
On the eve of Saturday (June 13), the area in central Tehran had turned into a smouldering battle-zone.
The protests were a rare direct challenge to Iranian authorities.
Iranian TV showed images of protesters marching in the streets and clashing with police. Fire was burning in the streets, as buildings and vehicles were set ablaze.
The election result and its violent aftermath raised fresh questions about the direction of Iranian policies at a time when U.S. President Barack Obama wants to improve relations with Iran.
One resident identifying herself as Suzana told Reuters she was was shocked. "I'm thinking about leaving the country because I don't know what's going to happen to us. We don't have any security. The way the police was behaving, I was watching on TV -- but the way the police was behaving to our people, was cruel. They were beating them," she said.
Another one added: "It was really so painful for us. I saw that... I was in Vanak Square and I saw that many people, so many young people that the soldiers -- the big monsters -- they beat them and attacked the lovely people. I don't know... I can't explain that."
Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli, an Ahmadinejad ally, declared the president had been re-elected with 62.6 percent of the vote, against 33.7 percent for Mousavi on Saturday.
Mousavi complained of violations and vote-rigging -- allegations rejected by Interior Ministry officials. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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