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Iran Opposition Leaders Call for Election Anniversary Rallies


Two major Iranian opposition leaders are calling for demonstrations on June 12, the anniversary of a disputed election that placed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power for another term.

Opposition website Sahamnews.org said Tuesday that former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Mousavi and reformist leader Mehdi Karroubi are urging people to take part in the public protests. The website said they will apply for permission to hold the rallies.

Since June, more than 80 demonstrators have been killed in government crackdowns on opposition rallies. Hundreds of other activists have been arrested.

The opposition site quotes Mr. Mousavi as saying the Iranian people have a "collective memory" of what he called the "corrupt" actions of the government.

Karroubi called on the government to "repent" for actions he said include killings, lies, torture, rape and squandering of the treasury.

Iran's opposition accuses Mr. Ahmadinejad of rigging the presidential election last June to give himself a second term. The opposition claims Mr. Mousavi was the rightful winner.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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