Iranian opposition leader's bodyguard arrested

MirHosein Mousavi and his guard, Ahmad Yazdanfar in the background

Ahmad Yazdanfar, MirHosein Mousavi’s bodyguard was arrested Monday night by Iranian security forces.

Kaleme website, news outlet for the Iranian opposition leader, announced the news, but the reason for the arrest remains unannounced.

According to Kaleme, Yazdanfar has served as MirHosein Mousavi’s body guard since the time he was Iran’s Prime Minister in the 1980s.

Kaleme reports that Yazadanfar, who belonged to the old Revolutionary Guards of “Jamaran Guards”, enjoys Mr. Mousavi’s deep trust.

The report goes on to say that Yazdanfar “has been the target of tens of terrorist attacks by opposing armed groups.”

Arrest of Mousavi’s personal bodyguard follows the progressive arrest of a number of his aides in the past year.

MirHosein Mousavi has challenged Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory in the June presidential elections and triggered widespread protests against the current government.

The conservative factions close to Ahmadinejad have repeatedly called for the arrest of the former Prime Minister for his role in fomenting unrest after the elections.