Iran sees first quiet night since elections

State radio reports no violent clashes recorded in Tehran Sunday night, for first time since election results were published. Body that oversaw elections admits voter turnout exceeded 100% in some 50 cities

Dudi Cohen|Published: 06.22.09 , 09:54

For the first time since violence broke out in the country following the controversial presidential election on June 12, the Iranian capital of Tehran saw a night free of clashes, Iran's state radio reported on Monday.

According to the radio station, "Tehran saw its first night of peace and quiet since the elections."

Unofficial reports from the capital confirmed these claims.

'More than 450 people arrested Saturday' (Photo: AP)

Tehran Police announced Sunday evening that more than 450 people were arrested during the violent protests of the previous day. The police statement said protestors "destroyed public property, injured civilians, torched civilian cars and motorcycles, and broke the windows of banks and restaurants".

So far the casualty toll in Iran remains unclear. According to unofficial reports, 50 people have been killed altogether, 19 of them on Saturday. Iran's news networks claim 10 are dead.

Iran's defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi said on Sunday protests against election rigging were the right of Iranians, his website reported.

"Protesting against lies and fraud (in the election) is your (Iranians) right. Today the country mourns for ... those killed in the protests. I call on you to remain calm," Mousavi said in a statement, published on his website.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Guardian Council of the Constitution, a religious body entrusted with overseeing the election in the country, said that the number of votes counted in about 50 cities exceeded the number of eligible voters there.

"Statistical figures given by the candidates claiming that the voter turnout in 80 to 170 cities exceeded 100% is incorrect," said the Council's spokesman. "We're talking about a lower figure of only about 50 cities." He explained that In Iran voters were not legally barred from voting in a city where they were not registered.