Iran loyalists issue call for executions

FT.com, Iranian government supporters have staged rallies across the country calling for the execution of opposition leaders in response to anti-regime demonstrations earlier in the week.

Thousands of loyalists to the Islamic establishment gathered in Enghelab Square in Tehran after Friday prayers, with many carrying placards against the opposition Green Movement and its figureheads.

Mir-Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, presidential candidates in the disputed poll in 2009, defied an official ban this week and called on their supporters to march in Tehran to show solidarity with north African uprisings.

“I want to express my resentment towards Moussavi and Karroubi and strongly believe that hanging them would put off riots,” said Mohammad, a 34-year-old government employee.

The slogans of pro-regime supporters were not limited to calling for the deaths of Mr Moussavi and Mr Karroubi. Many demonstrators condemned Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, the former president, regarded as being the leading figure behind the opposition.

“Hashemi swept to power and gained wealth thanks to this Islamic system and our support, but he has to leave now mainly because he is encouraging rioters and putting our national interests at risk,” said Atieh, a 19-year-old female student at the rally.

A statement at the end of the march called for “maximum punishment” for the two opposition leaders for causing deaths of young people during anti-government rallies and inflicting “financial and spiritual damages” on the regime.

It is not yet clear how the regime is going to deal with the opposition leaders. While some parliamentarians have called for their execution, Ahmad Jannati, the influential Friday prayer leader, indicated the house arrest might be intensified.

“The connections of sedition [opposition] leaders should be cut off. The doors of their home should be shut down … Their telephone and internet should be disconnected and they should be imprisoned in their own home,” Mr Jannati, who also heads the Guardian Council, a constitutional watchdog, told worshippers.

Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary, also indicated on Thursday that a full house arrest might be imposed on Mr Moussavi and Mr Karroubi.

Mr Karroubi was quick to express his readiness to show up in a trial provided it was open and independent media were present.

The official website of Mr Moussavi said on Friday that his bodyguards were dismissed and replaced by security forces, which meant the top opposition leader and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, had probably gone under full house arrest.

The couple’s daughters have reportedly not been able to contact them, while their food has been provided by the security forces.

No official report has yet confirmed further restrictions on Mr Moussavi and his wife.

Mr Moussavi was last heard of on Wednesday when he released a statement and thanked his supporters for their high turn-out on Monday.

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