TEHRAN - The editor-in-chief of the reformist newspaper owned by defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi was arrested on Saturday, a colleague at the Etemad Melli daily told AFP.

Mohammad Ghoochani was taken from his home, the source said on condition of anonymity.

'His wife told us that Mr (Mohammad) Ghoochani was taken away from home early Saturday morning by unidentified people who were also swearing loudly,' the source said.

Iran has rounded up scores of reformists, including high-ranking former officials and journalists, since protests erupted over Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's landslide win in last week's election.

Hundreds of protestors have also been detained in Tehran - the epicentre of the protests - and in other cities.