Iranian opposition candidate condemns fraud in presidential elecitons

Iran opposition candidate condemns election fraud

TEHRAN, Iran — The main Iranian opposition candidate has issued a strong condemnation of what he describes as “violations” in the Iranian presidential election.

Mir Hossein Mousavi said on his Web site Saturday that he won’t “surrender to this manipulation” and warned that certain officials’ conduct in the election is “shaking the pillars” of the country’s political system.

He called on authorities to immediately end their violations, warning that the people would not respect those who take power through fraud.

With nearly all of the votes counted in Friday’s election, Iranian authorities have announced that incumbent hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has taken 63 percent of the vote, compared to 34 percent for Mousavi.