Iran funeral triggers new clashes

Iran funeral triggers new clashes

Government supporters and opposition activists clash at funeral procession for student killed in Tehran.
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2011 13:12 GMT

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Clashes have broken out between supporters of the Iranian government and apparent members of the opposition at the funeral for a student killed in recent protests, state television has reported.

"Students and people participating in the funeral of martyr Sane'e Zhale in Tehran Fine Arts University are clashing with a few apparently from the sedition movement," the website of broadcaster Irib said on Wednesday.

Zhaleh was shot dead during an opposition rally in Tehran, the capital, on Monday, a killing the government blamed on anti-government protesters. But opposition groups say it was carried out by security forces.

The violence broke out during the funeral procession from the art faculty at Tehran's university, where Zhaleh was a student, Irib said.

The broadcaster added that government backers were chanting "Death to Monafeghin", a reference to an outlawed opposition group, which "forced them [opposition supporters] out of the scene".

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