Rumours of Karroubi's ill health firmly denied

Rasoul Montakhabnia, senior member of Iran’s National Trust Party announced his concern over “a hatching plot” against Mehdi Karroubi, secretary general of the reformist party.

Fararou website reports that Rasoul Montakhabnia denied all rumours about Mehdi Karroubi’s ill health and warned security authorities that: “Perhaps destructive and questionable characters are plotting against his (Karroubi’s) life, trying to create issues for the regime.”

Hosein Karroubi, Mehdi Karroubi’s son, also informed Radio Zamaneh that his father was suffering from no health problems.

This week a number of pro-government media reported that Mehdi Karroubi was suffering from ill health. Some even claimed that he has “terminal cancer” and his general health was not favourable.

Jahanews website, a site connected with Alireza Zakani, Tehran’s conservative MP, wrote: “Karroubi is fiercely fighting with a terminal disease and reportedly, his family has contacted an Austrian doctor to seek treatment for him.”

Former Culture Minister, Hosein Saffar-Herandi indicated something along the same lines in Keyhan daily newspaper, without directly naming Mehdi Karroubi, saying: “one of the friends of the Revolution who used to have a good name but in the recent events, his name has become entangled with sedition” is sick and should “repent.”

Rasoul Montakhabnia confirmed that Mehdi Karroubi is in top shape and “does not even have a headache.”

He added: “There is no need for someone to keep saying that Mr. Karroubi is alive each day. Everyday tens or even hundreds of people visit him; everyday he attends various events ranging from funerals to celebrations. The statement about his ill health is mere lies.”

Mehdi Karroubi is one of the candidates of Iran’s June presidential elections who has disputed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory at the poll. The disputes have led to widespread protest across the country which have drawn the violent confrontation of the establishment and imprisonment of thousands of protesters.

Mehdi Karroubi has also revealed documents regarding the mistreatment of political prisoners in the post-election events.

These actions have made Mehdi Karroubi the repeated target of government attacks and along with the other disputing candidate of the June elections, MirHosein Mousavi; he has been described as “leader of sedition” by pro-government forces.