Iranian opposition reports widespread protester turnout

Hossein Karroubi, son of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, told Radio Zamaneh that “despite the heavy and unprecedented presence of security, special and plain clothes forces all across Tehran, the presence of Green Movement supporters is widespread and telling of people’s courage.”

He added that in view of all the recent executions and widespread arrests, protester turnout is remarkable.

protesters chanting: "Ya Hossein! MirHossein!"

Mehdi Karroubi’s eldest son described the attack on his father saying: “Mr. Karroubi arrived at Ashrafi Avenue by car at 10 a.m. as previously announced and got off to walk toward Sadeghieh. A large crowd of emotional supporters joined him. However, a crowd made up of security, Basij and forces in plain clothes violently swarmed Mr. Karroubi and the people.”

He added that “the attackers threw a large amount of tear gas and some even sprayed Mr. Karroubi’s face with individual tear gas sprays in such a way that even now after many hours his face and chest are still burning.”

Hossein Karroubi continued saying: “Forces in plain clothes were beating people with cables, batons and machetes. They had all drawn their machetes to scare people off. However, people continued their march with courage. At this point, they arrested my brother, Ali Karroubi which they had apparently marked earlier.”

The opposition leader’s son went on to say that “we succeeded in bringing my father back in the car of a passer-by. However, the attackers later attacked Mehdi Karroubi’s personal car and broke its windows.”

Despite recent announcements by Iranian authorities that the events marking the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution would be held without any “special security measure,” so far today’s events have unfolded with serious clashes between government forces and protesters of the June presidential elections who claim Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was fraudulently re-elected.