February 14, 2011

The website of Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi said police today blocked access to his house and cut his telephone lines to prevent him from attending a rally later today. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Musavi and another Iranian opposition leader, Mehdi Karrubi, had asked for permission to hold a rally in solidarity with recent popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

Iran's Interior Ministry turned down the request, saying opposition supporters should express their solidarity with protesters in the Arab world at government-sponsored rallies.

Despite the ministry's refusal, several groups claiming to be linked to the opposition have said they will stage a rally today.

Musavi's website, kaleme.com, on February 13 said the Interior Ministry would be held responsible for the safety of protesters. Iranian security forces brutally cracked down on antigovernment protests in 2009.

compiled from agency reports