**Iranian opposition leaders have criticised what they describe as the “security state” imposed in the country after the controversial June elections.**They also called for the release of people detained during mass protests that followed the vote.
Runner-up Mir Hossein Mousavi’s website said the call was backed by fellow defeated candidate Mehdi Karoubi and former President Mohammad Khatami.
The vote was won by hardline incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Although many opposition figures have accused the state of rigging the result, Iran’s most powerful figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has given his seal of approval.
“Mehdi Karoubi, Mousavi and Khatami met on Monday and underlined the importance of ending the imposed security state in the country and also the immediate release of detained protesters,” the website reported.
“The continuation of arrests and the security state will lead to a more radicalised political atmosphere… the wave of arrests should end.”
On Monday, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a sharp warning to Western nations not to meddle in Iran’s internal affairs, saying relations would suffer if they did.
Thousands of opposition supporters and prominent reformists were reportedly arrested in the aftermath of the election, and three weeks later it is possible hundreds remain in prison.