Iran reformers 'abducted' by security forces

Two of Iran's main opposition leaders and their wives are said to be in grave danger after security forces apparently abducted them from their homes, where they were under house arrest.

The claim, by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, indicates a serious escalation in the Iranian government's effort to silence the opposition movement that grew out of protests over the disputed presidential election in June 2009.

One of the missing politicians is Mir Hossein Mousavi, who ran for president in the 2009 election against the incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Mr Ahmadinejad was declared the winner despite widespread charges of irregularities in the voting. The other is Mahdi Karroubi, a former Speaker of the Iranian parliament, who also ran on a pro-reform platform in the election.

For more: Iran reformers 'abducted' by security forces - Middle East, World - The Independent