Iran cleric urges 'strong action against rioters'

Senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati on Friday called on the judiciary to deal much more strongly with rioters.

"The judiciary system should act with more speed in dealing with rioters [who took part in illegal rallies]," said Ayatollah Jannati, who led the Friday prayers in Tehran.

Jannati's remarks come in the wake of anti-government protests during Ashura ceremonies marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who used the religious ceremony to chant slogans against top government officials, vandalize public property, and set fire to trashcans.

Seven people were confirmed dead during the unrest. Confirming the deaths, Deputy Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said the force had not used violence against protesters, rejecting any involvement in the killings.

The Guardian Council secretary said the Iranian people respect the laws and guidelines set by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei "because they want to restore peace in the country."

"However, the Islamic establishment in Iran will not tolerate any attempt to undermine Islam."

Ayatollah Jannati called for the immediate arrest and trial of rioters. He said the rioters are clear examples of those who deserve the harshest punishment for desecrating Islamic beliefs.

He added that US plots against the Islamic Republic over the past 30 years were aimed at undermining Islam and the revolution.

He said the recent unrest was part of a plot hatched by Iran's enemy and stressed that all such efforts were doomed to failure.

Ayatollah Jannati said that the Iranian nation has proved that it will strongly stand against any effort to harm the Islamic Revolution.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=115121§ionid=351020101.