Mass protests in Iran, as leaders told to repent or die

HUNDREDS of thousands of government supporters took to Iran's streets overnight in a show of force against the opposition, with a senior cleric telling their leaders to repent or face death.

Just hours later, state news agency IRNA reported that top opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi had fled the capital fearing for their lives but this claim quickly came under suspicion.

"Two of the chiefs of the sedition left Tehran for the north of Iran after learning that the population was increasingly angry and demanding their punishment," IRNA said.

They were said to be in the locality of Kelar-Abad, in the northern Mazandaran province on the Caspian Sea.

But Karroubi's son, Hossein, denied the report and said he saw his father last night.

"Some are trying to create a climate of fear and terror ... by spreading information about the arrest or exile (of my father) to put pressure on him," he said in a statement posted on Mehdi Karroubi's website Sahamnews.

Later, the semi-official Fars news agency said "informed sources have denied that the chiefs of the sedition left Tehran, saying this false information came from elements within the sedition."

For its part, opposition website Rahebsabz said Mr Karroubi and Mr Mousavi were taken into custody by the authorities for their own protection, citing a special IRNA wire report devoted to government officials.

"Members of the Revolutionary Guards and the intelligence ministry picked up Mousavi and Karroubi in the city of Kelar-Abad to protect them from the anger of the people."

Then shortly afterwards Rahebsabz recanted. It said its report was "false," but did not give details.

Earlier, television footage showed crowds in areas including Tehran's Enghelab Square, chanting slogans and waving pro-regime placards.

"Oh free-willed leader, we are ready, we are ready," they shouted in reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The rallies were called in response to a series of opposition protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed June re-election - in which Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi were the main challengers.

Hardliners have reacted angrily after thousands of opposition supporters used Sunday's climax of Ashura, one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest days, to protest, condemning the demonstrations as "desecration".

"The offensive slogans have made the pious Iranian nation sad and the Zionist world happy and in practice they as pawns of the enemies have furnished a red carpet for the foreigners who are aiming at the nation's security," the Government said.

Public prosecutor Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie told a closed session of parliament that Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi "are on the wanted list", ILNA news agency reported, citing MP Hassan Norouzi.

And in some of the strongest language since the election, a senior conservative cleric told opposition leaders to "repent" or be declared "enemies of God" and face the death sentence.

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