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Iran Cleric: Execute the 'Rioters'

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2009 7:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – Iran’s Guardian Council today called the election the “healthiest since the revolution,” and one of its members suggested executing the “rioters” protesting it, Reuters reports. “I want the judiciary to punish leading rioters firmly and without showing any mercy,” Ahmad Khatami told worshipers at Tehran University, suggesting they be tried as “mohareb,” or one who wages war against god. The penalty for mohareb is death. "They should be punished ruthlessly and savagely."

The Guardian’s Council has yet to formally certify the election, but said it was almost finished reviewing candidates’ complaints, and had found no “major violations.” The statement all but precludes further legal challenges, short of an attempt to topple Ayatollah Khamenei. Though the head of the Assembly of Experts, the group that can constitutionally depose Khamenei, is a Mousavi ally, he’s unlikely to take so radical a step.

Senior hard-line cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, bottom left, leads a Friday prayer at the Tehran University, June 26, 2009. Khatami, said that rioters should be punished strongly and with cruelty.
Senior hard-line cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, bottom left, leads a Friday prayer at the Tehran University, June 26, 2009. Khatami, said that rioters should be punished "strongly and with cruelty."   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, top, and Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, who heads Iran's Guardian Council, listen to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, unseen, speak, Sept. 19, 2008.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, top, and Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, who heads Iran's Guardian Council, listen to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, unseen, speak, Sept. 19, 2008.   (AP photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
Iranian senior hard-line cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, delivers a Friday prayer sermon, June 26, 2009. Khatami urged government to punish post-election rioters strongly and with cruelty.
Iranian senior hard-line cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, delivers a Friday prayer sermon, June 26, 2009. Khatami urged government to punish post-election rioters strongly and with cruelty.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
whtmountain
Jun 27, 2009 6:53 AM CDT
Now that the US is caught up in death of Michael Jackson (the press wouldn't have said a kind word about him a week ago or given him the time of day) and the Sanford scandal - you have to search for news on Iran. This is the true story of the day. Pray for those who have the courage to stand against such a dictator, with the main religious figures backing him up! What a sham. It is the women who will lead this fight and will suffer for it. I pray for them and their children. May you fight for justice, freedom and the rights you have long been denied. We are watching you. We care about your struggle, we pray for your protection and victory for your people. God is Great - may he protect, strengthen and defend you.
Fondue
Jun 26, 2009 12:43 PM CDT
Those rioters are going to need some guns.
BeatBlaster
Jun 26, 2009 6:18 AM CDT
The part you said about how it's hard to get rid of them once they get in.... is it because it's next to impossible to defeat idealism? What I'm trying to say is that as long as people believe in the "divine authority" of their government that it's pretty much not going to go away?

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