Iranian moderate cleric condemns government's baseless charges

Ayatollah AliMohammad Dastgheib

Reformist Shiite leader, Ayatollah AliMohammad Dastgheib spoke out against the Islamic Republic’s branding of election protesters as “mohareb” which according to Iranian law could carry the death penalty.

Ayatollah Dastgheib maintained that “Mohareb is a person who violates people’s right by pulling a gun, a knife or a weapon on them.”

In a meeting with a senior group from MirHosein Mousavi headquarters, the reformist cleric declared that by using the term “mohareb” against people in this manner, they are causing infighting amongst Shiites. He added: “The pious would never make baseless accusations.”

The Shiite leader went on to say that the establishment brands “people like us” as “mohareb” whilst our purpose has only been to give advice in accordance with our clerical duties.

In the post election protests to the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the government resorted to widespread arrest of people. Several of the protesters arrested on Ashura Day protests in December 2009 have been accused of “moharebeh” which translates into "armed combat in enmity with God.”

MohammadReza Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were two detainees that were executed last year for this charge.

Several Shiite leaders have criticized the use of this term for the post election protests since the election protests have been peaceful.

While Ayatollah Zanjani announced that “mohareb uses a gun against people”, Ayatollah Sanei pronounced that “protesting against the government and its treatment of the people” cannot be described as “Moharebeh.”

Ayatollah Dastgheib also criticized the national radio and television organization for slandering reformist faces and went on to condemn the unprecedented closure of Ghaba Mosque in Shiraz.

Last December, Ghaba Mosque, where Ayatollah Dastgheib leads the prayers, was shut down by order of provincial Security Council of Shiraz.

Iranian establishment is in the process of closing in on all top reformist figures in measured steps, in order to put a complete end to the disputes against the legitimacy of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidential victory and to solidify the control of hardliners in every aspect of the Islamic Republic society.