Tensions escalated in Iran on 1 March with anti-government protests across the country following the arrests last week of two opposition leaders.

Clashes continued into Tuesday night with reports suggesting that at least 50 people were arrested in Tehran alone. Tuesday’s rally was the largest and most violent yet since protests began on 14 February. The government deployed security forces, including anti-riot police, Basiji militia who used tear gas and batons on the crowds.

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, opposition candidates in the presidential elections in 2009, were both placed under house arrest in mid-February to prevent them from attending other protests. Conservative members of parliament have called for the men to be put to death under the charge “corrupt on earth”.

However, the families say both men and their wives have now been moved to Heshmatiyeh jail in Tehran. Iran’s judicial authorities have not confirmed this.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has continued to try to dismiss the protests (MEED 16:2:11).