Ayatollah Dastgheib, a senior member of the Iranian clergy and representative of Fars province in the Assembly of Experts, is calling for the Iranian opposition leaders to be released from house arrest.
Kaleme website reports that in an open letter, Ayatollah Dastgheib has described the treatment of MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi as contrary to constitutional and Islamic law.
The two opposition leaders have been under house arrest since they issued a rally call for people to march in solidarity with the recent Arab uprisings on February 14.
Mousavi and Karroubi, along with their wives, have been completely cut off from any contact with the outside world, and their children have expressed grave concern about the well-being of their parents.
The Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, citing an unidentified source, reported yesterday that the two opposition leaders are no longer under house arrest and have been moved to a secret location referred to as a “safe house.”
“Given the lynch mob-like calls for their execution by numerous Iranian politicians and clerics, there is reason to be deeply concerned for their safety and well being,” a spokesman for the Campaign commented.
The Coordination Council for the Green Path of Hope, the umbrella group that speaks for the Green Movement since the two opposition leaders have been cut off from making public statements, has called on people to demonstrate on March 1 in Tehran and other cities for the release of the two leaders.
Ayatollah Dastgheib reminds the members of Assembly of Experts that they are responsible for monitoring the actions of the Supreme Leader and must speak out against any illegal actions that may be taking place.
The Assembly of Experts, according to Iranian constitution, is charged with monitoring the actions of the Supreme Leader; however, the opposition claims that the Assembly has failed to carry out its duty and has fallen heavily under the influence of the Leader.
Ayatollah Dastgheib also spoke out against violent treatment of peaceful demonstrators, insisting that those who attack them must stand trial. “The government is responsible for protecting the life, property and reputation of the people,” Ayatollah Dastgheib writes.
According to reports from human rights groups, two people were killed and dozens were arrested during the February 14 protests.
