Ahmadinejad criticizes Iran's judiciary after arrests of supporters
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 February 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ahmadinejad criticizes Iran's judiciary after arrests of supporters, 6 February 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a9fc782a.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 06, 2018 12:00 GMT
RFE/RL
Former Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad
Iran's former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has renewed his criticism of Iran's powerful judiciary following the arrests of several of his supporters.
In a letter marking the celebrations of the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, Ahmadinejad said the judiciary has become "the main pillar of oppression" against the Iranian people.
The letter follows reports that eight media activists who support Ahmadinejad have been detained.
The reason for their arrests was not immediately clear. Some reportedly have been released on bail.
"Someone in Tehran orders media activists from different provinces to be arrested," Ahmadinejad wrote in his letter, which claims some of the activists were held in solitary confinement and forced to make "dictated" confessions.
Ahmadinejad, a hard-liner who was president from 2005 to 2013, has become increasingly isolated for challenging Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his powerful allies, namely the judiciary.
In 2017, Ahmadinejad accused the judiciary of "dictatorship" and said that it is more powerful than Khamenei.
The Guardians Council – which vets presidential candidates – prevented Ahmadinejad and one of his top aides from running in the 2017 presidential election that returned President Hassan Rohani to office for a second term.
Khamenei had suggested before the Guardians Council's decision that Ahmadinejad's candidacy would not be in the best interests of the country.
With reporting by Dolatebahar.com, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, and the BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
