MID: Riot police disperse Tehran demonstrators
25 Jun 2009 12:12 AM
TEHRAN, Iran June 24 AFP - A large presence of Iranian riot police and a volunteer militia deterred demonstrators trying to gather near parliament in Tehran on Wednesday, a witness said.
Police armed with batons and shields called on the few hundred people who had attempted to gather in Baharastan square to disperse, the witness said.
Since the June 12 presidential election results were announced, Tehran has been rocked by violent protests which have killed at least 17 people, but there has been no major demonstration or violence reported since Monday.
"No permission has been given for any rally," the interior ministry said in a statement earlier on Wednesday.
The witness said people were walking in groups near the square but were not shouting slogans or carrying any banners.
Iranian authorities have banned demonstrations staged by opposition protesters over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election.
