Portrait vandals spark outrage in Iran

TEHRAN, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Iranian lawmakers clamped down on the opposition following uproar over the vandalism of pictures of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during street protests.

Supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi took to the student Dec. 7 during a national holiday commemorating Students' Day.

Demonstrators tore pictures of the supreme leader during their protests, sparking a national outrage. Iranian media reports were accused of doctoring photos to show opposition groups burning pictures of the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini.

Several student demonstrators were arrested in the wake of last week's protests and more than 200 lawmakers signed a petition condemning the desecration, Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

"The judiciary should take action against those who have during the past months emboldened the enemies of the late Imam to exhibit such outrageous behavior," read the statement.

Iranian judicial figures said such actions were "punishable by law."

An opposition movement in Iran evolved around Mousavi, who challenged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during contested elections in June.

The government in Tehran clamped down on dissent, arresting scores of opposition leaders and student protesters since unrest escalated in June.

The opposition has since taken advantage of national holidays to voice their displeasure with the clerical regime.