(Tehran) The Iranian people have the “right to criticize” their leaders, said one of the most important Shiite dignitaries in Iran, media reported on Friday from the Islamic Republic faced with a wave of demonstrations since the death of Mahsa Amini he over a month ago.
Posted at 8:56
“The people have the right to criticize the leaders of Muslim society, whether the criticism is justified or not,” said Ayatollah Javad Alavi-Boroujerdi, quoted by the Iranian agency Shafaqna.
This 68-year-old dignitary is the grandson of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Boroujerdi, the main figure of the Shiite clergy in the 20e century.
“People have things to say and they don’t agree with what you are doing,” the ayatollah told the authorities.
Outrage in Iran over the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, has sparked the biggest wave of protests since 2019 protests over rising gasoline prices in the wealthy country. oil.
The 22-year-old Iranian was arrested on September 13 by the morality police in Tehran for violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women, including the wearing of the veil.
The demonstrations have spread to many Iranian cities and dozens of protesters as well as members of the security forces have been killed, and hundreds arrested.
“Some people have been arrested and are in jail […] treat them kindly,” Ayatollah Alavi-Boroujerdi said again.
On September 26, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani, an important conservative cleric and ardent defender of Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei, also called on the authorities to “listen to the demands of the people”.