Iranian reformist injured in campaign attack by mob

AFP: A top Iranian reformist said Friday he suffered a fractured skull and facial bruising when he was attacked by an extremist mob after a campaign speech in the central city of Qom. “About 30 people tried to disturb the speech from the beginning, but they failed … After the speech, I was told by police that … AFP

TEHRAN – A top Iranian reformist said Friday he suffered a fractured skull and facial bruising when he was attacked by an extremist mob after a campaign speech in the central city of Qom.

“About 30 people tried to disturb the speech from the beginning, but they failed … After the speech, I was told by police that everything was okay for leaving the place, but pressure groups attacked us,” Behzad Nabavi told the student news agency ISNA.

Nabavi said his skull was fractured, his face bruised and his clothing ripped by the attackers who used tear gas and lethal instruments during the assault Thursday in Qom, Iran’s clerical epicentre.

The gang also attacked police when they stepped in to stop the violence, Navabi said, adding that some of them were arrested after he complained.

Nabavi is a senior member of the reformist party Mujahedeen of Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), who backs the reformist candidate Mustafa Moin for June 17’s presidential elections.