Iran police arrest mourners for Iran's "angel" as opposition seeks to rally
(Read article summary)Iran's theocracy, wary that mourning can turn to political protest, shuts down commemoration for opposition "martyr."
Iran arrested mourners who had gathered in a Tehran cemetery Thursday to memorialize Neda Agha Soltan, a young woman who was shot in June during protests against the fairness of the country’s presidential election.
There were some reports of clashes, with police allegedly beating mourners with batons.
Ms. Soltan, a 26-year-old music student, was shot in the chest by what opposition figures say was a basiji militiaman loyal to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Her death was captured on cellphone video and has become a rallying point for Iranians who say that Ahmadinejad’s reelection was rigged.
A Facebook memorial page for her called “Angel of Iran” has more than 20,000 members.
