Middle East News
Iranian clergy assembly joins protests over election fraud
Jul 5, 2009, 8:27 GMT
Tehran - An Iranian clergy assembly joined popular protests against alleged fraud in the June 12 presidential elections, local websites reported Sunday.
The Assembly of Seminary Scholars and Researchers in the city of Qom, the country's religious stronghold south of the capital Tehran, accused the constitutional watchdog Guardian Council of impartiality in the election review process and ignoring complaints.
The Guardian Council on Monday approved the disputed results that gave President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a second term.
In a statement, the clergy assembly also decried violence that caused the deaths of at least 20 demonstrators and the arrests of hundreds of critics.
Opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi met the assembly Monday and briefed them on the election process which he considers to have been illegal.
The Assembly of Seminary Scholars and Researchers in Qom is regarded as moderate and reform oriented but does not have the same influence of the conservative assemblies.
The conservative assemblies in Qom, including the influential ayatollahs, have acknowledged the president and voiced their support.
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