Monthly Archives: January 2010

Can Iran’s Opposition Find Montazeri Replacement?

IWPR Institute (Mianeh)– The death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s most outspoken critic late last month came as a blow to the opposition movement in Iran. But the void left by the loss of Grand Ayatollah Ali Montazeri may yet galvanise other senior Shia clerics into vocal criticism of the regime, thus shifting the equation in the opposition’s favour.

Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died on December at the age of 87, effectively served as both spiritual leader and unifying force for Iran’s reform-minded opposition. Uniquely, he enjoyed popularity among secular activists and the intellectual elite as well as the devout. Continue reading Can Iran’s Opposition Find Montazeri Replacement?

Q&A: Attack on Karrubi Was a “Coordinated Effort”

BERKELEY, California, Jan 8 (IPS) – Hussein Karrubi, the son of Iranian opposition figure Mehdi Karrubi, whose car was struck by two bullets on Thursday in Qazvin, a city near Tehran, tells IPS the Islamic Republic is trying to silence and intimidate his father. Many analysts believe that the escalating attacks by security forces on opposition figures could push the popular protests, which have been ongoing since the disputed Jun. 12 elections, to a new level. Continue reading Q&A: Attack on Karrubi Was a “Coordinated Effort”