Top clerics in disagreement in Iran

Mills of the gods move slowly in Iran but they are moving

Stephen Pate, NJN Network, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, July 6, 2009 with story from BBC and Al Jazeera

The BBC reports “a group of clerics in Iran has called Iran’s presidential vote invalid, contradicting official results.” Iran clerics defy election ruling Al Jazeera said Iranian leaders are calling for a crack down on media for inciting riots.

On June 22, 2009 EurasianNet reported that moderate Rafsanjani was expected to outflank Supreme Leader Khamenei. The story End game for President Ahmadinejad as protests continue and political maneuvers change the guard predicted the inner circle would change in Iran.

However, nothing appeared to be happening. More hard line statements were issued. UK embassy employees were arrested and some released. Finally the last UK employee detained was freed today. BBC Iran frees eighth embassy worker

“The pro-reform clerics group said in a statement that the top legislative body, the Guardian Council, no longer had the right “to judge in this case.”

In a statement to the press, the Assembly of Qom Seminary Scholars and Researchers said some members of the Guardian Council had “lost their impartial image in the eyes of the public.”

“How can one accept the legitimacy of the election just because the Guardian Council says so? Can one say that the government born out of the infringements is a legitimate one,” it said.

The Guardian Council is an unelected 12-member council made up of six religious leaders, appointed by the supreme leader, and six jurists.

The statement is further proof of a split at the top of Iran’s establishment, correspondents say.” BBC Iran clerics defy election ruling

Iran official urges media crackdown

“The head of Iran’s judiciary has called for a crackdown on television channels and websites deemed to have been criticial of the government.

“The daily growth of anti-regime satellite channels and … websites needs serious measures to confront this phenomenon,” state television quoted Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi as saying on Sunday.

“Those who co-operate with such websites and television channels will face prosecution,” he said in a circular addressed to branches of the judiciary.” Al Jazeera

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