Mousavi: I'm 'Ready for Martyrdom'

Iranian opposition leader calls for election 'annulment'
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 20, 2009 2:10 PM CDT

As thousands of Iranian dissidents defied the decree of the supreme leader to end their demonstrations, the symbolic face of the protests told supporters in Tehran today that he is "ready for martyrdom,” the New York Times reports. Mir Hossein Mousavi urged protesters to stage a general strike if he is arrested, and he sent a letter to Iran’s top legislative body calling again for the election to be “annulled,” Reuters notes.

Referring to election rigging, Mousavi earlier wrote on his Facebook page: “These irritating measures were planned months ahead of the vote. Considering all the violations, the election should be annulled.” Meanwhile, Tehran said it would randomly recount up to 10% of “ballot boxes," but that announcement this morning did little to appease protesters.
(More Iran stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X