Iran opposition leaders request memorial ceremony

Iran’s opposition leader has requested permission from authorities to hold a memorial service for victims of the post-election unrest, a top aide said today.

Ali Reza Beheshti said Mir Hossein Mousavi signed the request with Mahdi Karroubi, the other reformist candidate in last month’s disputed presidential election.

Beheshti said the two requested a memorial to take place on Thursday in a Tehran mosque to recite the Koran, the Muslim holy book, and hold moments of silence.

Police have said at least 20 people were killed in the post-election unrest.

Pro-reform webssites have reported families of slain protesters have been banned from mourning publicly.

Mousavi has said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory was fraudulent.