Iranian protests

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- At least 10 people were killed in a crackdown on protests in Iran where several key people who oppose the government were arrested.

Protests have been going on for about a week since the funeral of a prominent dissident cleric. Demonstrations were staged across the country and the government tried to limit memorials to Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri but they spread.

Among the dead is a nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, who had lost the disputed election to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Several high-profile supporters of Mousavi have been arrested.

The death toll was reported by opposition Web sites, which blamed the killings on police. Iranian officials countered the killings were done by protesters, the BBC said.

As of Monday, security forces were said to be using tear gas in attempts to disperse crowds at rallies.

Demonstrations have sprouted up periodically in Iran since presidential elections in June. Ahmadinejad was declared the winner but opponents allege the vote was fixed. Officials have tried to quell the protests, which often lead to violence.