Prominent Iranian reformist Mohammad Ali Abtahi was detained on Tuesday, his office said, according to Reuters. Abtahi, a former vice president was arrested Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday that seven people died near the site of a rally in Tehran. Press TV also said several people were wounded when "thugs" tried to attack a military post.
Close to million supporters of defeated reformist candidate Mirhossein Mousavi defied a government ban on Monday to protest in central Tehran against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Friday's vote.
In Washington, US President Barack Obama said the world was "inspired" by the Iranian demonstrators and that he was "deeply troubled" by the violence.
"The democratic process, free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent - all those are universal values and need to be respected," the U.S. leader said.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
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