Iran's reformist leaders urge release of unrest-related detainees

TEHRAN, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Iran's three top reformist leaders have urged the release of those arrested in the unrest following the country's disputed presidential election, the English-language satellite channel Press TV reported Tuesday.

Two defeated reformist presidential candidates -- Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi -- met with reformist -- former President Mohammad Khatami -- late Monday to discuss the latest post-election developments, according to the report.

During the meeting, they said the "wave of arrests" in Iran must be brought to an immediate end, calling for the release of those kept in custody without being found guilty.

The three reformist leaders also called for an end to what they described as the "ultra security situation" in the country, warning that the very continuation of such conditions could result in and benefit extreme political acts.

On June 13, Iran's Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli said incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won 62.63 percent of the total ballots in the June 12 election, while his main rival Mousavi got 33.75 percent.

After the official declaration, Mousavi protested "strongly" the "obvious violations" in Iran's presidential election. His supporters participated in massive rallies in Tehran and other cities in the following days.

Iran's state media said 20 people had been killed in related clashes and riots. Iranian security forces arrested hundreds of protesters in the post-vote unrest.

But Iran's Police Chief Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam has said, two-third of those arrested have been released "on bail or without bail."