[The National-Abu Dhabi] Michael Theodoulou - Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, 87, was once the heir apparent to lead Iran but fell from favor with Ayatollah Khomeini. Today he wields considerable moral authority as the country's highest-ranking and most fearless dissident cleric. Last week Montazeri said Iran had become a "military regime" and that his fellow clerics had the responsibility to come out publicly against the regime and the "crimes" it had committed. "The grand ayatollahs...know quite well the regime needs their approval for its legitimacy. They also know the regime is exploiting their silence." Hours later, three of Montazeri's grandchildren were arrested for taking part in political rallies. Four sons of three other reformist clerics were also arrested.
2009-09-22 08:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive