By VOA News
|
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at Friday Prayers on June 19 |
A group of Iranian reformists is demanding an
investigation into Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, questioning whether he
is fit to lead.
A letter, issued Friday, asks one of Iran's highest clerical bodies to examine
whether the supreme leader has become incapable of fulfilling his
"constitutional duties."
Under Iran's constitution, the Assembly of Experts has the power to appoint the
supreme leader or remove him from power, although until now challenging the
supreme leader's authority has been a political taboo.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani (upper left) leads the Expediency Council.
Rafsanjani has been a vocal critic of the election aftermath.
(photo from last session of Expediency Council in March 2009) |
Discontent with Ayatollah Khamenei has been growing since June's disputed
presidential elections. At the same time, there are increasing allegations that
protesters arrested following the election were raped and tortured.
Defeated reformist candidate Mahdi Karroubi this week accused prison authorities
of raping detainees and torturing them to death.
However, Senior Cleric Ahmad Khatami denounced the allegations during Friday
prayers and called for Karroubi to stand trial for the remarks.
The human rights group Amnesty International is calling for an independent
investigation into the allegations of prisoner abuse. The group said Saturday
denials of wrongdoing by Iran's leaders do not have credibility since details of
their own investigations have not been released.
More than 100 detainees have been involved in mass trials during the past two
weeks. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi calls them "show trials"
that must be stopped.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn-in for a second term earlier
this month, but opposition leaders, including Karroubi and Mir Hossein Moussavi
say the results were rigged.
Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei Saturday appointed the brother of Parliament
Speaker Ali Larijani to head the country's judiciary.
Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani will serve a five-year term.
Some information for this report was provided
by AFP, AP and Reuters.
... Payvand News - 08/16/09 ... --
