Iran announces arrests for election violations News
Iran announces arrests for election violations

[JURIST] Iran's official news agency reported on Thursday that at least 26 people, including a military figure, have been arrested for suspected election violations commited during last week's first round of presidential voting. The close voting required a partial recount [JURIST report] and raised immediate allegations of fraud [JURIST report], an issue which is still a concern in Friday's runoff [JURIST report] between former prime minister Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and conservative Tehran mayor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran's armed forces have denied any wrongdoing, which leaves the Revolutionary Guards or the paramilitary "basiji" vigilantes as possible suspects. Both groups are strong supporters of Ahmadinejad, who some say benefitted from strong-arm tactics, multiple votes, and other illegal acts. AP has more.