Clashes erupt at Iran protester's funeral

Iranian regime supporters and “apparent” opposition backers clashed at the funeral of a person killed in anti-government protests, Iran’s state television reports.

Reuters

"Students and people participating in the funeral of martyr Sane Zhale in Tehran Fine Arts University are clashing with a few apparently from the sedition movement," the television website said.

Violence reportedly erupted when pro-regime supporters held a demonstration during the funeral of Zhale, a Sunni-Muslim Kurd, who was killed during anti-government protests on Monday.

The pro-government demonstrators chanted "Death to America! Death to Israel! Death to Britain! Death to Monafeghin! Death to Mousavi and Karroubi!" at the funeral.

The 26-year-old is at the centre of a controversy, as pro-government officials maintain he belonged to the Islamist Basij militia and Iran’s opposition says he was a pro-Mousavi supporter.

Zhale was one of two people killed on Monday when police and opposition demonstrators clashed in Tehran during an anti-government demonstration.

Officials said Zhale was shot dead by members of an outlawed group called the People's Mujahedeen of Iran.

Opposition website Rahesabz.net however says Zhale was "pro-Mousavi and a member of the Green Movement," which refuses to acknowledge the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"His family was under pressure to say he is Basiji and pro-government," the website said.