Iran braced for anniversary unrest

Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets of Tehran to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution amid heavy security to prevent opposition protests.

Leaders of Iran’s so-called Green Movement have called for its supporters to take part in Thursday’s events, but it was not immediately clear if there would be any anti-government protests.

The son of Mehdi Karroubi, one of the defeated reformist candidates in last year’s disputed presidential poll, told Al Jazeera that this father’s car had been attacked by security forces on his way to a rally.

The opposition Jaras website reported that Karroubi was not seriously hurt when the windows of his car were smashed. Mohammed Khatami, a former president, was also reportedly attacked.

Police said before the anniversary that a number of opposition figures had been arrested and security forces were ready to prevent any incidents.

“We are fully prepared for holding a safe and glorious rally,” Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam, Iran’s national police chief, told the semi-official Fars news agency.

“We are closely watching the activities of the sedition movement and several people who were preparing to disrupt the February 11 rallies were arrested.”

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