By DPA,
Tehran: The Iranian government Tuesday once again rejected a request by opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi to hold a memorial ceremony for the victims in recent protest demonstrations, Fars news agency reported.
An interior ministry official said no permission has been issued for any gathering Thursday (July 30).
Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, the head of the Etemad Melli party, had requested the ministry to allow a simple 90 minute gathering to commemorate the 40th day of the protesters’ deaths in a public venue in northern Tehran.
At least 20 demonstrators were killed during demonstrations against alleged fraud in the June 12 presidential election that led to re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The two opposition leaders promised the ministry that there would be no slogans, no speeches but only recitation from the holy Islamic book the Koran.
Moussavi had said in a statement that his request was in line with the constitution and that officials were obliged to allow the ceremony to be held.
Without the interior ministry approval, any gatherings are considered illegal and police are authorised to intervene.
The ministry had so far rejected all requests by Moussavi and other opposition figures to hold such gatherings.
Moussavi’s wife, Zahra Rahnavard, said Tuesday on her website that even in case of a rejection by the ministry, people should commemorate the victims by holding candles on streets or on the roofs of their houses.