Endorsing the disputed 2009 election result and warning protesters off the streets
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei drew criticism for quickly endorsing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed June 2009 re-election and then using a Friday sermon to tell protesters to stop. Human Rights Watch reported that security forces began a violent crackdown the next day, when Neda Agha-Soltan was among those shot dead in Tehran.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- Statement congratulates Ahmadinejad as protests erupt - BBC News reported that after official results gave Ahmadinejad 63% of the vote, Khamenei praised the turnout, called the count a "real celebration" and warned that enemies might try to spoil it with provocations, while police clashed with Mousavi supporters who called the result a charade. BBC Persian reported that his statement asked rival candidates to back the president. خامنهای: از هر گونه رفتار و گفتار تحریک آمیز پرهیز کنید
- Friday sermon rejects fraud claims and warns protest leaders - The Guardian reported that in an uncompromising Friday prayers address at Tehran University, Khamenei denied the election had been rigged, blamed Western powers for interference and said opposition leaders would be held responsible if they did not call an end to the protests. BBC News reported he insisted there was no fraud and that the protests must end. Iran elections: Khamenei warns protesters to stay off streets
- Crackdown follows the sermon; Neda Agha-Soltan is shot dead - Human Rights Watch reported that after Khamenei's June 19 demand, riot police, Revolutionary Guards and Basij forces began a major crackdown on June 20, with at least 10 people killed that day, including 26-year-old bystander Neda Agha-Soltan. BBC News reported witnesses said she was probably targeted by Basij militia, and her filmed death became a symbol of the protests. Iran: Violent Crackdown on Protesters Widens