The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has reported the arrest of 15 suspects in the assassination of Molavi Mostafa Jangi Zehi, who led Friday Mass Prayer in the southeastern city of Rask.
The ministry announced today that the 15 “terrorists” and their “supportive cells” have been arrested.
Molavi Mostafa Jangi Zehi was assassinated in December of 2011 on the road between Chabahar and Sarbaz.
The ministry claims that the plan was concocted by the Iranian dissident group People’s Mojahedin Organization, carried out by Wahhabi supporters and “funded by the U.S., Britain and Israel through some reactionary governments in the region.”
Wahhabism is the branch of Islam practiced by the Saudi Royal family, and Wahhabis in India, Afghanistan and Pakistan comprise the main forces of Al-Qaida.
The news of these arrests comes after Commander Mohammad Pakpour, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Ground Forces, announced that heavy blows had been dealt to the militant group Jundallah in southeastern Iran in the past month.
Jundallah claims to fight for the rights of Sunni minorities in southeastern Iran. Iranian media have reported that prior to the assassination of Molavi Mostafa Jangi Zehi, Jundallah had made a previous and unsuccessful attempt on his life in 2010.
