Iran cleric calls for protestor executions
Protests continue but senior cleric has called for executions
Also In The News
|
Real Madrid and Manchester United have finalised an agreement for the £80 million transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo. |  |
Saturday, 27, Jun 2009 12:27
A senior cleric in Iran has called for the execution of leading demonstrators after a second week of demonstrations.
In a Friday prayers sermon, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami said: "Anyone who takes up arms to fight with the people, they are worthy of execution."
He added: "Anybody who fights against the Islamic system or the leader of Islamic society, fight him until complete destruction," in a clear warning to dissenters.
The Ayatollah also claimed Neda Soltan, the woman who was shot during a demonstration a week ago, had been killed by protestors because "government forces do not shoot at a lady standing in a side street".
Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has been under increasing pressure to end calls for a new ballot and said he would seek official permission for any future rallies.
President Barack Obama and German chancellor Angela Merkel have called on Iran's government to stop the crackdown on protestors.