Friday, December 17, 2010
Publish date: December 09 • Printable version    

Prominent reformist re-arrested for implicating head of Iran's judiciary


Ali Shakourirad

Ali Shakourirad, member of Iranian reformist party, Islamic Iran Participation Front, was arrested again by the Islamic Republic authorities for implicating Iran's head of judiciary in supporting reformists.

Tehran Revolutionary and Public Court reported that Ali Shakourirad was arrested today over the charge of attributing falsehoods to Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, head of Iran’s judiciary.

Shakourirad, who was released only over a month ago, recently participated in a discussion with former head of state news agency IRNA and published the contents in his personal website. Shakourirad who had taken the position that violations had occurred in the process of the last presidential elections in 2009, stated: “Your own media reported that Ali Larijani had congratulated Mr. Mousavi on phone…Such statements also exist regarding Mr. Sadegh Larijani which for one reason or another has not been covered by the media and they will surface when it s necessary.”


Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani denied Shakourirad's statements

MirHosein Mousavi was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s chief opponent in the 2009 presidential elections. Mousavi disputed Ahmadinejad’s victory and with widespread allegations of election fraud the country was thrown in serious turmoil and protest.

The government responded to the upheaval by arresting protesters and prominent reform figures and dispute continues after over a year of conflict. Deep rifts appeared in the Islamic Republic system following the elections and even in the conservative camp, some political figures have found themselves at odds with the Ahmadinejad administration.

The Revolutionary and Public Courts news outlet reported today that the head of the judiciary, Ayatollah Larijani, has denied Shakourirad’s statements and therefore, Shakourirad has been arrested on the charge of publishing falsehoods.

He is also reportedly accused of proposing falsehoods against the Islamic Republic and propaganda against the regime.

Ali Shakourirad was last arrested for 16 days in September and released with the intervention of a senior cleric.

Norooz website reports that 16 members of the Islamic Iran Participation Front are currently in prison.

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