Iranian hardliner calls for Mousavi to be tried for treason

Share on Facebook

By Muriel Kane

Published: July 4, 2009
Updated 4 months ago

The editor-in-chief of a hardline Iranian newspaper has called for presidential candidate Mirhossein Mousavi to be charged with treason for his role in the protests following last month’s disputed election.

“An open court, in front of the people’s eyes, must deal with all the terrible crimes and clear betrayal committed by the main elements behind the recent unrest, including Mousavi and Khatami,” Hossein Shariatmadari wrote in his editorial.

The editorial appears to be the latest move in a well-orchestrated chorus of calls for Mousavi to be prosecuted, which began earlier this week with Iran’s Basij militia. Now another hardline newspaper is reporting that 100 members of the Iranian parliament have written a letter saying that Mousavi and moderate candidate Mehdi Karoubi should face trial for “post-election riots.”

Shariatmadari, a hardline cleric who was appointed to his position as editor by Ayatollah Ali Khameni and is considered a close advisor to the Supreme Leader, also accused Mousavi of “killing innocent people, inciting riots, hiring thugs to assault people, evident co-operation with foreigners and playing the part of US fifth column.”

“It has to be asked whether the actions of (Mousavi and his supporters) are in response to instructions of American authorities,” Shariatmadari wrote, claiming that there are “undeniable documents” proving Mousavi’s foreign ties.

One comment