Tehran: Iran says 55 people are still being
detained in the capital after hundreds were arrested during a
wave of anti-government protests.
The semi-official Fars news agency quoted judiciary
spokesman Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejehi as saying there were
around 400 protesters held across the country but that "some
were released" yesterday and today.
Last week, an Iranian reformist lawmaker, Mahmoud
Sadeghi, said some 3,700 people were arrested across the
country.
The protests, which began three weeks ago, were initially
sparked by anger at the weak economy and official corruption,
but escalated rapidly, with some protesters calling for the
overthrow of the government.
Clashes broke out at some protests, and at least 21
people were killed.
Iranian authorities say the protests have been waning in
recent days.
