Mousavi steps up criticism of Ahmadinejad

Former Iranian presidential candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, has increased his criticism of President Ahmadinejad.

In an unusually hostile speech, posted on his website, Mousavi accused the government of a series of abuses. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 'erratic behaviour' has drawn criticism from fellow hardliners.

Mousavi said that a crucial test of Ahmadinejad's commitment would be whether they permit a mourning ceremony at Tehran's Grand Mosalla prayer halls on Thursday.

Mr Mousavi said in his speech that “We don’t want to do anything. We will not have speeches. We just want to use this Mosalla for mourning… so allow us to gather only to recite the Koran,”.

However, the authorities fear that any large gathering may escalate into an opposition demonstration. Mousavi warned that the Iranian people would not allow a regime that did not abide by the country's constitution to continue their rule.

This Thursday is the 40 day anniversary of the deaths of many of the anti-government protestors including 'Angel of the protestors', Neda Agha-Soltan. Twitter users have organised a 2 minute silence to be observed this Thursday at either 11am or 6.30pm (local time) in memory of the 'martyrs' of the protests.