Iranians gather around a hearse carrying the coffin of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani during his funeral ceremony in the capital Tehran, on January 10, 2017.

Iranian reformists on Tuesday turned the funeral of former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani into an opportunity to protest against Russia, the Iranian regime’s ally in Syria.

At one point, groups were heard chanting “Death to Russia,” rather than the traditional “Death to America”. Iranian state TV was forced to play somber music during the live broadcast of the funeral, for fear of the sound of the protests coming through.

Up to two million mourners filled the streets of Tehran for the funeral. Reformists also called for the release of leaders held under house arrest.

Rafsanjani was a once-feared revolutionary figurehead and was seen by reformists as an opponent of the regime’s hardliners.

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