Iran: Karroubi accused the regime of "suppress the people in the name of religion"

Opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi on Monday accused the Iranian authorities of "suppressing people in the name of religion" and vowed to remain defiant in the face of threats.

In an open letter on his party website, the reformist cleric renewed charges that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election last June had been the result of fraud, branding it a "political robbery."

"May God stand witness how they have turned a political dispute into a religious war to suppress people demanding political rights in the name of religion," he said in the letter posted on Sahamnews.

"We were not aware that reclaiming your vote and protesting against political robbery is equal to being corrupt on earth and Mohareb (enemy of God) in these gentlemen's eyes," he added.

Karroubi and main opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who charge that the presidential poll was massively rigged, have come under mounting pressure from hardliners declaring them as "Mohareb" -- people who deserve death.

The two leaders have backed anti-government street protests which erupted after the election and condemned the use of violence by the authorities against demonstrators.

"I have not faltered on my way in the face of increasing intimidation and threats. I have become more determined and prepared myself and my children for any disaster," Karroubi said.

According to his website, the outspoken opposition figure survived an attack last week when his vehicle was hit by gunfire in the city of Qazvin.

Iran's reformist ex-president and key opposition figure Mohammad Khatami, meanwhile, warned both sides in the dispute against "extremism," ISNA news agency reported on Monday.

"We are in a situation now that will lead to a dangerous cycle of violence if a solution is not found," Khatami warned.

Karroubi, who came a distant fourth in the election, said the authorities needed to "confess, repent and ask people's forgiveness" for Iran to emerge from its current political crisis.

"Those who have deprived people of the right to choose, authorised the changing of people's votes and suppressed their protest with bullets should repent," he said.

He insisted the 1979 Islamic revolution had "gone stray" and called for an end to violence, for freedom of the press and the release of political prisoners as steps needed to end the crisis.

The Iranian regime has stepped up a crackdown on the opposition following bloody anti-government protests on December 27 during the Shiite commemoration of Ashura when eight people were killed.

Hardliners now accuse protesters of opposing the Islamic republic's leadership and regime.