Iranian poll will end in riots if Ahmadinejad cheats, says Mousavi camp

June 12, 2009 by Infowars Ireland

Iran will hold a landmark presidential election today amid warnings of violence if the vote is rigged to secure President Ahmadinejad’s return.

As the most tumultuous campaign in the Islamic Republic’s 30-year history drew to a close, Mir Hossein Mousavi, the incumbent’s strongest challenger, appealed to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader, to ensure that the election was fair.

Those close to Mr Mousavi went further, claiming that Mr Ahmadinejad could win only by cheating — and that this could spark riots and chaos on the streets.

Saeed Laylaz, a political consultant, said he feared a “Tiananmen Square-style experience”, with the military moving in to crush any protests.
Such warnings were lent credence by Yadollah Javani, a leader of the hardline Republican Guard, who has vowed to suppress any attempt by Mr Mousavi’s reformist supporters to mount a “velvet revolution” after the election.

Officials expect a near-record turnout of the 46 million eligible voters after an extraordinary campaign marked by vast rallies, all-night revelry on the streets of Tehran and unprecedented infighting among the Iranian political elite.

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