Persian community protests Iranian election result

About 50 members of Auckland's Persian community have taken to Aotea Square tonight to protest the outcome of the Iranian presidential elections.

There have been massive protests across the globe after last Friday's election reinstated President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi claimed that the elections were rigged and has called on his supporters to protest the result.

Seven people at a rally in Iran were shot dead by pro-regime militia on Monday.

At the Aotea Square protest, one placard reads 'Ahmadi get out' and includes a bloody handprint.

An Auckland Persian, who did not want to be named because of fears for the safety of his family in Iran, said he took part in the cultural revolution 28 years ago that deposed the Shah.

He said following the violence by government forces he has become disillusioned.

"We want the voice of the people to be heard," he said.

The man said since the cultural revolution there was still no freedom for the people of Iran.

He said that he "was not a political person" but violence back in Iran had bought him out onto the street.

Protest organiser Babak Badiei said there would be another protest tomorrow, which will include Iranian funeral music.

He said too many people had been killed by the Iranian government.

Some commentators have said Mousavi does not represent a true alternative to Ahmadinejad because of the make-up of the Persian political structure.

- NZ HERALD STAFF