Iran: Intelligence Minister Condemns Arbitrary Attacks Against Officials
Authorities will not tolerate attacks against government officials, Iranian intelligence minister Heydar Moslehi told ISNA.
In the past year, pro-government crowds have targeted Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, the chairman of the Expediency Council, and his family.
On one occasion Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s son and daughter were attacked while visiting a holy shrine and were forced to leave amid threats and abusive shouting.
A video clip Faezeh and Yasser Hashemi being insulted and threatened in the parking lot of the shrine was later posted on You Tube, prompting criticism even from conservative members of the establishment.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani, who had implicitly sided with the opposition in the post-election protests, has gradually moderated his stance, following fierce clashes with the establishment. The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has publicly questioned Hashemi Rafsanjani’s loyalty to the regime, because he has remained silent on the actions of the opposition.
Last month brought what appeared to be the latest move to curtail Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s influence in government; he stepped down as chairman of the Assembly of Experts, which oversees the actions of the supreme leader, and was replace by a conservative clergy member.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani finally spoke out about the opposition, condemning the opposition protest of February 14. Since then, the establishment has become more accommodating of him and his family.
The intelligence minister and the judiciary are evidently referring to Hashemi and his family when they repeatedly announce that any further attacks against government officials will be subject to prosecution.
The supreme leader has also recently condemned arbitrary attacks against government figures.
