Tehran, Iran (AHN) – Iranian security forces have arrested five family members of one of Iran’s most powerful figures during the protest, state media reported on Sunday.

The daughter of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was arrested along with four relatives during an anti-government protest in Tehran on late Saturday, according to PressTV, citing a local newspaper.

Among those who were arrested include Faezeh Hashemi, a well-known women’s rights activist, former parliament deputy and head of women sports in Iran.

[efoods]Ayatollah Rafsanjani is considered as a key rival of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and head of Expediency Council in Iran.

Like her father, Hashemi has emerged as an important figure in the opposition and has been a critic of Ahmadinejad’s policies.

The four others detained include Faezeh’s daughter, as well as Hossein Mar’ashi’s wife, daughter, and his-sister-in-law. Hossein Mar’ashi is a cousin to Hashemi-Rafsanjani’s wife, according to PressTV.

The news cannot be independently verified as foreign media outlets have been banned from reporting from within the Islamic Republic nation.

The reports said that the Ayatollah Rafsanjani and his family members have been accused of corruption in the past.

But yesterday’s detention followed charges that they were participating in an illegal rally “in [Tehran’s] Azadi Avenue and inciting and encouraging rioters,” according to the report.

The protestors supporting reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi went ahead with the plan to rally against the disputed June 12 elections despite warnings from the Iranian authorities.

It was not clear when they were released, but the local reports indicate that they were held at the nearest military base and were detained until the unrest in the capital ended.

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