Ayatollah Montazeri: I Bow Only to God

Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, the highest-ranking dissident cleric in Iran, stated that he has made no commitments and accepted no conditions regarding his release from five years of house arrest. The 80-year-old cleric spoke today in front of reporters and hundreds of his followers who had gathered outside his home in Qom to celebrate his freedom. Despite recent reports about his illness and poor health, Ayatollah Montazeri appeared to be in good spirits and health. He declared that he bows only to God and will continue to speak out in defense of the rights of the Iranian people due to his religious duty. During his five years of house arrest, he remained an influential figure in Iran by issuing statements on religious and political matters. On his first day of freedom, he visited a small mosque near his residence and then went with his sons to the grave of his deceased son. Ayatollah Montazeri was once considered the successor to Ayatollah Khomeini but was placed under house arrest in 1997 following his criticisms of the ruling clerics in Iran, including Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader. Earlier this week, Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced that Montazeri would be released due to his old age and poor health, a decision made after repeated requests from academics, politicians, and clerics for his freedom.