Mir Hossein Mousavi (file photo)Defeated Iranian presidential candidate and reformist leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said the re-election of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is "illegitimate" and has urged his supporters to keep fighting for the rights of the people.
In a statement posted on his Web site Wednesday, Mousavi also called for the release of those detained during post-election protests, press freedom and election reforms. He has repeatedly said the June 12 election was rigged.
Iran's Guardian Council has warned the opposition to no longer protest the vote after upholding the re-election of President Ahmadinejad.
Wednesday, Iran stopped publication of a reformist newspaper allied to presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi after he too denounced the government as illegitimate and vowed to continue his fight against the election outcome.
Iran's police chief says 20 people were killed and more than 1,000 arrested during the large protests after the disputed presidential election.
The Iranian news agency Fars quoted Ismail Ahmadi-Moghaddam on Wednesday as saying that most of those detained had been released and the rest were being referred to the public and revolutionary courts in Tehran.
Human rights groups have put the death toll from post-election unrest much higher.
Human Rights Watch on Wednesday called for a prominent detained reformist who is disabled to be transferred to an adequate medical facility or released to his family. Saeed Hajjarian was arrested during the June demonstrations.
Meanwhile, there are conflicting reports of how many of the nine local British embassy staff are still in detention in Iran, after being arrested for allegedly playing a role in the unrest. Iranian state-run Press TV said Wednesday one local staff member of the embassy remains in custody.
In London, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated "deep disappointment" at Iran's recent behavior, including the arrests of British embassy staff. He called the action "unjustified" and said it is unacceptable that some in Iran are trying to use Britain "as an explanation for the legitimate Iranian voices calling for democracy."
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose government took over the European Union presidency, said Wednesday the EU should support those in favor of democracy in Iran but be careful not to stir up tension inside the country.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
