Iranian security forces violently confront mourners in Esfahan

AP-clashes in Qom on December 21

Iranian political atmosphere remains volatile as the government tries to cancel commemoration ceremonies of the prominent reformist cleric, Ayatollah Montazeri, who passed away on Sunday.

Ayatollah Montazeri, who was the most outspoken critic of the Islamic Republic, was laid to rest in Qom by an unprecedented crowd of supporters which was reported as hundreds of thousands.

The mourners had chanted slogans against the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei which had resulted in an attack of Ayatollah Montazeri's home on Monday by pro-Ahamdinejad forces.

Ayatollah Taheri Esfahani had announced that he would hold a ceremony for the deceased Shiite leader in Seyed Mosque of Esfahan today but reportedly police has violently confronted mourners to stop the ceremony.

Kalameh website reports that last night the government issued an order to stop the ceremony but Ayatollah Taheri had refused to accept the order. According to Parleman News, pro-government forces in plain clothes surrounded Ayatollah Taheri’s car today and impeded him from attending the ceremony.

Reports from Esfahan reveal that police and security forces had gathered around the Mosque from hours before the ceremony and violently attacked anyone who had come to attend the ceremony.

An eyewitness told Zamaneh that special arrest vehicles have been placed in different parts of Esfahan and security forces have put all roads that lead to Syed Mosque under strict control.

Reformist media say police has used tear gas on several occasions to disperse the crowds and beatings with batons, chains, rocks and clubs are order of the day.

The number of detainees is not clear yet; however, Masood Adib, the cleric who is the head of MirHosein Mousavi’s headquarters in Qom and was also the speaker at the ceremonies in Qom, has been arrested.

Parleman News reports that over 50 people have been arrested amongst them a reporter and a photojournalist.

Reportedly Ayatollah Taheri's residence has been surrounded by security forces which has resulted in a large crowd of his supporters gathering in front of his home to protect him.

Najafabad, the birthplace of Ayatollah Montazeri has also seen altercations between followers of Ayatollah Montazeri and government forces. A great many followers of Ayatollah Montazeri are residents of Najafabad and Esfahan.