Former Iranian prosecutor arrested, no reason given February 5, 2013 - 10:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A former Iranian prosecutor at the center of a growing confrontation between two of Iran's most powerful figures has been arrested, according to a statement posted Tuesday, Feb 5, on the Tehran prosecutor's website, Reuters reported. No reason was given for the arrest, but the timing suggested it might be linked to the role of the former judicial official, Saeed Mortazavi, in a dispute between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani. "The Tehran prosecutor announced Monday night that Saeed Mortazavi has been arrested," read the one-line statement. Iran's Fars news agency reported Mortazavi was taken to Evin Prison, and said he was arrested as he was leaving work. Mortazavi was dismissed from his judicial post over the torture deaths of three protesters in custody after the 2009 presidential elections, which the opposition claimed was rigged in Ahmadinejad's favor, bringing huge crowds into the streets. Fars said Mortazavi's arrest on Monday could be linked to his involvement in the prison deaths. The spokesman for Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, said in January that Iran's court would address the cases in March. But Mortazavi's name surfaced in another context on Sunday, when Ahmadinejad accused the parliament speaker's family of corruption, deepening a long-standing feud between the two powerful political figures months before an election. In a speech meant to defend one of his ministers against impeachment, Ahmadinejad played a tape he said showed a meeting between Ali Larijani's brother Fazel and Mortazavi in which Fazel Larijani attempted to use his family's prominent political status for financial gain. Both Fazel and Ali Larijani denied the accusation of corruption, and Fazel Larijani said he would file a legal complaint against Ahmadinejad and Mortazavi. The head of Iran's judiciary is Sadeq Larijani, Fazel and Ali's brother. Labor Minister Abdolreza Sheikholeslami, who was dismissed by parliament on Sunday, appointed Mortazavi last year to head the social security office, against lawmakers' wishes. Dubbed by some as "the butcher of the press," Mortazavi had a central role in shutting down reformist newspapers and arresting dozens of journalists. Partner news  Top stories Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament. Bağış said Istanbul’s unique status as a “peaceful coexistence of all cultures and religions” makes it a vital player in the EU. The agent shot in self-defense in the incident, which occurred at Todashev's house, the law enforcement source said.   Partner news |  Latest news ANC of New York screens “Orphans of the Genocide”  “The ANC of New York is pleased to work with Mr. Maronian to spread awareness of this significant film,” Markarian said.China hopes for N. Korean envoy’s visit to ease mounting tension Ties have been hurt between the two supposed allies by the North's third nuclear test in February, despite China's disapproval.Russia, U.S. may set up working groups to counter crime threats “As well as our U.S. colleagues, we see a lot of areas of common interest in cooperation between the Interior Ministry and FBI,” Kolokoltsev said.Oscar-nommed Demián Bichir cop drama "The Bridge" premiere date set Demián Bichir and Diane Kruger star as two detectives, one from each side of the U.S.-Mexican border, trying to solve serial murders. |
