Claims of fraud during Iran’s general election are ‘undermining the legitimacy’ of the vote, Dutch foreign minister Maxime Verhagen said in a statement on Sunday evening.

And it appears that measures were taken to influence the voting, such as limits to internet access and a block on text messaging, Verhagen said.
The ensuing violence will seriously hamper efforts to have a constructive dialogue with Iran, Verhagen said. The foreign affairs ministry has warned travellers and Dutch people living in the country to remain alert and to avoid demonstrations.
The BBC reports that Iran is is braced for more unrest over its presidential election results after defeated candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi called for them to be annulled. The government has banned a rally by his supporters, who say they will continue to protest against president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election. Scores of people have been arrested.
Journalist expelled
A Dutch tv reporter and cameraman were expelled from Iran after their press cards were not prolonged.
The duo had been filming inside Mousavi’s headquarters and carrying out street interviews with voters when police wielding batons dispersed the group.
‘When we went to renew our cards we were told we would have to leave the country immediately,’ Jan Eikelboom told the NRC. ‘And they said they would through out the rest of the journalists as well.’
Embassy protests

Some 200 Iranians, mainly students and many wearing green scarves, gathered outside the Iranian embassy in The Hague on Sunday in protest at Ahmadinejad’s re-election.
Engineering student Samira Farahani told the NRC her parents had described the situation in Teheran as ‘hell’. ‘People on the street – men, women and children – are being hit with sticks, knives and chains. Those who still dare to protest are heading for the roofs.’
‘We are from a new generation,’ said theatre student Setareh Fathei. ‘We don’t want war. We want democracy.’