Iranian expats stage protest in Zurich
Demonstrators in Zurich have called for an end to the use of force against civilians in Iran in the wake of the disputed presidential elections.
Police said about 200 people took part in a protest in Switzerland’s biggest city on Wednesday.
Organisers said they wanted to support public campaigns in Iran for more democracy. They also called on the Swiss government to suspend relations with the authorities in Tehran.
On Tuesday Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey reiterated that freedom of expression must be maintained.
A foreign ministry statement urged Tehran to show restraint in the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that the election result would stand, despite street protests allegedly incited by Britain and the United States.
The opposition refused to be bowed. Reformist cleric Mehdi Karoubi, who came last in the June 12 presidential election, called the new government “illegitimate” and around 200 protesters braved the security crackdown near parliament.
Riot police later used teargas to break up the protest.
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