Mohammad-Taghi Khalaji, Iranian reformist
cleric was arrested yesterday by Qom Intelligence Department. His son, Mehdi
Khalaji told Zamaneh that his father was arrested at his home and the officials
also confiscated his computer, some CDs and documents.
Mehdi Khalaji also reports that his father's passport along with that of his
mother's and sister's were also confiscated and they were told that they are not
allowed to leave the country.
The family was apparently planning a trip to Dubai to apply for a US visa in
order to pay a visit to their son, Mehdi Khalaji, who resides in the
US. According to Mehdi Khalaji, their tickets have
also been confiscated.
Mohammad-Taghi Khalaji is a prominent Qom cleric close to reformist clerics
Ayatollah Montazeri and Ayatollah Sanei. He was arrested and imprisoned three
times before the Revolution as a political activist.
Mehdi Khalaji reports that his father had given a speech on the night of Tasua,
the Shiite Holy Day in Ayatollah Sanei's home criticizing government pressure
against clerics and opposition leaders.
Mohammad-Taghi Khalaji supported the disputing candidate MirHosein Mousavi, , in
the June presidential election and on many occasions has condemned government
crackdown on election protesters.
Mr. Khalaji's family have called at the Special court for clerics to inquire
about him but were refused any information.
Mehdi Khalaji, the son of the arrested cleric, after a period of collaboration
with BBC Radio and Radio Farda is now working with
Washington Institute.
All these organizations are amongst organizations which the Ministry of
Intelligence has claimed are involved in a "soft war" to overthrow the Islamic
Republic. The Ministry has banned all Iranians from collaborating with any of
these organizations.
