Middle East News
Former Iranian president accuses government of "blind violence"
Feb 1, 2010, 22:44 GMT
Tehran - Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami on Monday accused the government of perpetrating what he called 'blind violence,' opposition websites reported.
'This kind of blind violence will have unclear consequences,' Khatami reportedly warned in a meeting with reformist officials.
He was referring to two protesters, allegedly from monarchist groups, who were hanged last week and nine others sentenced to death for their involvement in the protests and reported plans to topple the Islamic establishment.
'The correct reply to protests should not be suppression, jail and executions but allowing the people the legal right to say what they want,' he was quoted as saying.
Together with former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, former premier Mir-Hossein Moussavi and former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi, Khatami forms the opposition quartet against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The four have accused the government of fraud in last June's presidential race, which led to Ahmadinejad's re-election.
'There are some (officials) who I believe are pushing the country towards violence by spreading lies and accusations,' Khatami said.
He said the 31st anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution should be used as an occasion for releasing all post-election political prisoners.
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