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Deadlock continues over fate of Iran's Green Movement leaders

The three Iranian opposition leaders detained during the 2009 election protests are still languishing under house arrest as Reformists and hard-liners argue endlessly.
EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to film or take pictures in Tehran. 

Supporters of the Iranian opposition movement wear green during the funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri in the holy city of Qom December 21, 2009. Big crowds of mourners chanted anti-government slogans during the funeral of Iran's leading dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, in the holy city of Qom on Monday, websites reported. REUTERS/v

Since February 2011, Iranian opposition leaders Mir-Hossein Mousavi, his wife Zahra Rahnavard and Mehdi Karroubi have been effectively under house arrest with virtually zero access to the outside world. The punishment without trial came after Mousavi and Karroubi, two of the defeated candidates in the country's 2009 presidential elections, leveled accusations of vote rigging and called for public protests. Supported by a large majority of disillusioned voters, the two continued their unyielding defiance as the protests led to hundreds of deaths and left thousands behind bars.

Ever since the three were placed under house arrest, Iran's Reformist figures have been pushing for their release or at least some easing of the restrictions imposed on them. The debate was renewed Dec. 9 after a top adviser to President Hassan Rouhani said their release was just around the corner. Hesamoddin Ashna told a gathering of students in Tehran there is "only one last hurdle to be removed."

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