">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iran hardliners round on Rafsanjani in election row
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Iran hardliners round on Rafsanjani in election row
Reuters - 1 hour 59 minutes ago
By Fredrik Dahl and Hashem Kalantari
ADVERTISEMENT
TEHRAN - Iranian hardliners hit back at former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Saturday for criticising the conduct of last month's election and its aftermath, highlighting deepening establishment divisions.
An editor seen as close to Iran's top authority said Rafsanjani was backing "law-breakers," a reference to opposition protesters, and a senior cleric accused him of creating rifts in the Islamic Republic and hinted he should face legal action.
In apparent defiance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Rafsanjani said in a sermon on Friday that many Iranians had doubts about the official result of the June 12 vote, which showed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had won.
Leading Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time since the election, the powerful cleric also declared that Iran was in crisis after the poll, which opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi says was rigged in the hardline incumbent's favour.
Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, an Ahmadinejad ally and a member of Iran's top legislative body, rejected Rafsanjani's remarks.
"Who planted the seeds of doubt in the election in the minds of people? ... Isn't this sowing discord?" Yazdi told a news conference, according to the official IRNA news agency.
He added, according to Fars News Agency: "Those who planted doubt in society and those who irrigated it to make it sprout out of the soil and pour into the streets to violate people's lives and property ... should be dealt with legally."
The election stirred the most striking display of internal unrest in Iran, the world's fifth biggest oil exporter, since the 1979 revolution and exposed deep rifts in its ruling elite.
HARDLINERS HIT BACK
At least 20 people died in post-election violence. Mousavi and the authorities blame each other for the bloodshed. Riot police and religious Basij militia eventually suppressed the street demonstrations, but Mousavi has remained defiant.
Post-election events have also further strained ties between Iran and the West, already at odds over Tehran's nuclear programme. Western powers criticised the crackdown. Iran accused them of meddling.
Rafsanjani's robust stance appeared to set him on collision course with Khamenei, who has openly backed Ahmadinejad in a departure from the supreme leader's accepted role as a lofty clerical arbiter above the political fray.
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters used the Friday prayers led by Rafsanjani, a moderate who backed Mousavi in the election, to stage the biggest show of dissent in weeks.
Clashes erupted near the university between police and followers of Mousavi, who came second and still contests the official election results.
The government has portrayed post-election mass protests as the work of local subversives, or "rioters," and Western powers seeking to topple the Islamic establishment.
Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of the Kayhan daily, said Rafsanjani had done nothing to prevent the gathering of Mousavi supporters inside and outside Tehran University, where prayers are held each Friday and broadcast live on state radio.
"At the same time he used every opportunity available to challenge the outcome of the election," wrote Shariatmadari, who earlier this month called for Mousavi and another leading reformist to be put on trial for "terrible crimes."
Noting Rafsanjani had urged everybody to abide by the law, his editorial added in a reference to those who defied a protest ban: "Mr Rafsanjani ... not only disregarded what he had said but openly supported the law-breakers."
Shariatmadari is seen as a close ally of Khamenei, Iran's most powerful figure with the final say on all matters of state.
Rafsanjani, who heads the Assembly of Experts -- a powerful body that can in theory dismiss the supreme leader -- in his sermon demanded the immediate release of people detained in the unrest and called for press curbs to be relaxed.
Rights groups say hundreds of people, including senior pro-reform politicians, journalists, activists and lawyers, have been detained by the authorities since the election.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Iran hardliners round on Rafsanjani in election rowReuters - 2 hours 4 minutes ago
Russian rights group suspends work in ChechnyaAFP - 2 hours 39 minutes ago
Pope celebrates mass with wrist in plasterAFP - Sunday, July 19
World's oldest man dies aged 113AFP - Sunday, July 19
Honduras stalemate persists as talks set to startReuters - Sunday, July 19
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Talking toy 'translates' dog barks
Citi posts $4.3 bln profit on one-time gain
Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey
Coroners seek records from Jackson skin doctor
Jackson wasn't ready for London comeback: father
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 18 July 2009 Afghan bomb kills 11, including children: police
Endeavour docks at International Space Station
General Electric quarterly profits down 49%
Chechen leader to sue rights group
"Harry Potter" Actor Jamie Waylett Pleads Guilty To Growing Cannabis
US strike kills five militants in Pakistan
Citi posts $4.3 bln profit on one-time gain
Jim Caviezel Suffers Injuries In Motorcycle Accident
Chavez rhetoric stokes Honduras crisis before talks
| International
|
WHO stops giving global swine flu tally
Second Victim Dies Following Madonna's Marseille Show's Stage Collapse
Sudan cooperation with peacekeepers better: U.N.'s Ban
| International
|
Iran names new head of atomic energy body
Iraq forces face solo test during major pilgrimage
| International
|
Iran police clash with Mousavi backers
No Pakistan talks until Mumbai justice: Indian PM
404 Not Found
Suspected U.S. drone kills five militants in Pakistan
Grant to help restore bumblebee habitat near farms
404 Not Found
404 Not Found
Pakistan court quashes Sharif hijacking conviction
Health care overhaul bill has its ups and downs
Movie studios try to harness Twitter effect
| Technology
|
Official: blasts hit 2 NATO tankers in NW Pakistan
STIMULUS WATCH: No-bid contracts mean higher costs
Australian court hears appeal in US diving death
Goldman makes peace with blogger in trademark case
| Technology
|
Canada set to try again on new copyright law
| Technology
|
Clinton condemns terrorists bombings
Fla. couple to be laid to rest as probe continues
Kyrgyz authorities arrest 18 alleged terrorists
GOP prosecutor in NC targets Dems on Obama's watch
Australian report predicted violence in Indonesia
Hyundai to invest 130 million euros in Czech plant
Toyota to build Auris hybrid in Britain
India's TCS Q1 profit up near 19 pct
Michelin to take control of Chinese group
Rate cut hopes lift Pakistani stocks; rupee firm
Salzburg Festival feels pinch from global slump: report
HK names leader's aide to head central bank
Turkey readies for drastic smoking ban
Celebrities on Broadway -- does it promise a hit?
| Entertainment
|
Two die after Madonna stage collapse
Toyota making hybrids in UK, Honda sets overtime
Rob Thomas' new album explores darker themes
Happy 40th birthday Woodstock baby, if you exist
Analysis: Jakarta blasts show militants resilient
Blasts at Jakarta Ritz, Marriott kill 8, wound 50
Fallon's '7th Floor West' is a silly, soapy treat
Terror stalks Indonesia as hotel bombs kill nine
Movie studios try to harness Twitter effect
| Entertainment
|
Actor Beatty doesn't want deposition videotaped
404 Not Found
Indonesia attacks blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah
Sarkozy to watch wife Bruni sing at Mandela show
| Entertainment
|
'Transformers 2' becomes biggest-ever China hit
Myanmar VJ film exposes 2007 protests, crackdown
| Entertainment
|
Polish philosopher and author Kolakowski dead at 81
| Entertainment
|
US computer giant Cisco lays off hundreds
Iraq government faces claims of prisoner abuse
British probe into 'toxic waste dumping' in Brazil
Ubisoft gets into the social game at Facebook
U.S. fighter jet crashes in Afghanistan, 2 dead
| International
|
UN chief pays tribute to Mandela on his 91st birthday
Yahoo board member Icahn wants Microsoft deal
Honduras stalemate persists as talks set to start
| International
|
US TV news legend Walter Cronkite dies: CBS News
ooVoo takes on Skype, Cisco in video conferencing
US military in Iraq says 3 soldiers killed
Seven foreigners killed in Jakarta hotel bombs: media
| International
|
Chechen leader sues rights group after activist murder
Banking results show sector healing but fragile
Sudan cooperation with peacekeepers better says U.N.'s Ban
Canada set to try again on new copyright law
Somali gunmen kidnap foreign aid workers: official
| International
|
Speculation mounts on Porsche's future
News
Iran opposition holds protests as cleric calls for releases
Iceland, Croatia in race to become EU's 28th member
Clinton optimistic on signing India defence pact
| International
|
Police tear-gas Iran protesters during prayer
Court defers to FCC on phone line access rules
Armenia, Azerbaijan in new peace talks on enclave
Goldman makes peace with blogger in trademark case
Iconic Capa war photo was staged: newspaper
Ecuador denies links with Colombian rebels
| International
|
Danish troops in Afghanistan get Facebook warning
Yahoo board member Icahn wants Microsoft deal
| Technology
|
ISS dodges debris as crew readies for space walk
US TV news legend Walter Cronkite dies at age 92
Ken Loach takes Israel stance down under
ooVoo takes on Skype, Cisco in video conferencing
| Technology
|
U.S. House launches investigation into CIA program
Clinton begins India visit
Movie studios try to harness Twitter effect
| Technology
|
Sarkozy, UN chief talk climate change in New York
Australia 'fears worst' after Jakarta blasts
Indonesia bombings threaten Bali tourist recovery
Seven foreigners killed in Jakarta hotel bombs
Cisco lays off 600 to 700 workers at headquarters
Obama to Congress: Don't lose heart on health care
King of Pop creamed in online butter statue vote
All Blacks grip on rugby Tri-Nations under threat
Calif. budget talks at standstill as offices close
China aiming for elusive diving cleansweep
Fla. sheriff confirms couple's safe had jewelry
Thongchai flies the flag at British Open
Indonesian police examine remains for clues
Suicide bombers kill 8 at Jakarta Marriott, Ritz
Chinese bring in 764 million dlr to Taiwan: report
Resurgent Wall Street to be tested by earnings, Fed
Banking results show sector healing but fragile
Poland launching probe over cheated Chinese workers
First cheap Tata Nano car hits Indian streets
Jackson kids custody hearing delayed again
Tata Consultancy Services net profit up 22 percent
More kids' tunes on tap from They Might Be Giants
Legendary TV news anchor Walter Cronkite dies
| Entertainment
|
Debbie Rowe sues woman over TV interview
Jackson kids custody hearing delayed again
| Entertainment
|
Movie studios try to harness Twitter effect
| Entertainment
|
Ex-'O.C.' star Mischa Barton remains hospitalized
Beverly Roberts, Bogart co-star, dies at age 96
US official: At least 8 from US wounded in Jakarta
More kids' tunes on tap from They Might Be Giants
| Entertainment
|
Analysis: Jakarta blasts show hotel weaknesses
Arizona company's workers hurt in Indonesia blast
Obama condemns 'outrageous attacks' on Indonesia
Movie studios try to harness "Twitter effect"
"Passion" star Caviezel injured in motorcycle crash
Mementos of MJ buried at storied Detroit cemetery
Jorja Fox returning to CBS' `CSI' as Sara Sidle
Baltimore statue of Billie Holiday rededicated
U.S. ready for talks and sanctions for North Korea
| International
|
World's oldest man dies aged 113
World's oldest man, British WWI veteran dies at 113
Full Body Art Experience- Fuerza Bruta Extends Miami Engagement Further
Iran hardliners round on Rafsanjani in election row
Somali pirates say German ship released for ransom
Madonna Gives Teary Address To Victim's Families
U.S. State Dept helicopter crashes in Iraq, two dead
| International
|
China says police shot dead 12 Uighurs this month
| International
|
Somali pirates free German-owned ship after ransom
| International
|
Iran hardliners round on Rafsanjani in election row
| International
|
Clinton meets Mumbai victims
Top separatist calls for Kashmir resolution
Obama urges Congress to pass health care reform
Three dead as Typhoon Molave exits Philippines
Clinton honours Mumbai attacks victims
U.S. court nominee Sotomayor wins over 3 Republicans
US, Japan agree to set up nuclear deterrence talks
FBI: LA man said he killed wife with 'bare hands'
Top Indian militant arrested in Bangladesh
Philippines alert after Indonesia bombs: police
Pakistani planes kill six Taliban: officials
Man extradited to US on violin-trafficking charges
Obama praises Cronkite as icon who will be missed
US anti-drug force flies last flight from Ecuador
Amtrak bus fire on SoCal freeway ignites wildfire
Police investigate motivational speaker's NY death
US TV news legend Walter Cronkite dies at age 92
US official: At least 8 from US wounded in Jakarta
Jackson's mother may challenge will executors
Highlights of some Cronkite broadcasts
Studio spokesman: `Bridget Jones' returns to film
Ruby Gettinger is losing weight, gaining frenemies
China Quarantines Hundreds Of School Children From UK, US On H1N1 Fear
Inspector-General Report Finds Defense Department Paid Millions To Incorrect Accounts
Hillary Clinton Starts Five-Day Asia Trip; Will Honor Victims Of Mumbai Attacks
Iconic Newsman Walter Cronkite Dead At 92
Survey: 59% Of Americans Expect Serious Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak This Fall/Winter
Obama Presses Congress To Pass Health Care Reforms
Bay Area Rail Workers Reject New Contract
House Committee Approves Obama's Healthcare Reform Bill Backed By AMA
Biodiesel Plant Blast Injures 2, Disrupts Train Service In Chicago
CDC: More, Younger Children Having Sex
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights