Iranian media restricted in coverage of Ayatollah Montazeri's death

A few hours after the death of Ayatollah Hoseinali Montazeri, Iran’s Ministry of Culture issued an order to the media to refrain from publishing anything regarding the Shiite cleric’s political life.

Jaras Website reports that the Ministry has issued them a letter instructing them to make reference to the “differences of opinion between Ayatollah Montazeri and Imam Khomeini” in their coverage of the reformist cleric’s death.

In another section of the letter it is stated that “in view of the stances of Mr. Montazeri since 1990 and the absolute necessity of keeping the current social atmosphere peaceful” the coverage of Ayatollah Montazeri's death should not be provocative.

Ayatollah Hoseinali Montazeri, died in the early hours of the morning today at the age of 87. He was a staunch critic of the government and spent several years under house arrest.

State media IRNA and Fars have reported the death of the Shiite cleric without any reference to his religious title.

IRNA referred to Ayatollah Montazeri’s opposing political stances and accused him of “challenging” the Islamic Republic. This section of the reports was later omitted.

MirHosein Mousavi’s website, Kalameh, condemned the “insulting” coverage of Ayatollah Montazeri’s passing by these news outlets.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei

Iran's Supremem Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a letter of condolence on the occasion of Ayatollah Montazeri’s death, implicitly condemning the Shiite cleric’s political stance against the leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini.

Ayatollah Montazeri was chosen to succeed the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini, as the Supreme Leader, but his confrontation with Ayatollah Khomeini over the widespread execution of political dissidents in the 1990s resulted in his being side-stepped by the current supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Ayatollah Montazeri challenged Ayatollah Khamenei's credentials in becoming the Supreme Leader, as a result of which he was fiercely persecuted and confined to house arrest.

Ayatollah Montazeri remained an outspoken critic of the system which he had helped found. Not long before his death, he apologized to the people of Iran for his role in the inclusion of the supreme leadership of a senior clergy in the constitution. He maintained the abuse of this high political position had led to the oppression of the post-election protests and people's demand for justice.