Javad Larijani: Individuals under House Arrest Can Travel to Various Parts of the Country

The head of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary stated that Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi, who are under house arrest, can travel to different parts of the country and have access to medical services. Javad Larijani, in an interview with the Mehr News Agency on Wednesday, February 17, discussed the situation of the leaders of Iran's Green Movement, stating: 'The house arrest of any individual must have a legal basis. Either a judge issues a ruling, or the Supreme National Security Council can restrict the freedoms of an individual or group and communicate this to the authorities.' According to him, 'The responsibility for the health of these individuals lies with the security apparatus,' although he noted that 'no problems have arisen so far.' Larijani emphasized that these individuals under house arrest 'can even travel to different parts of the country and have access to medical services.' Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi have been under house arrest for over four years, which has made communication with their supporters and political activists impossible. Meanwhile, visits from close relatives of Mousavi and Karroubi have been short, irregular, and sometimes involve long intervals, which has repeatedly led to their protests. Additionally, numerous reports have emerged over the past four years regarding the deteriorating health of the leaders of the Green Movement, with some instances requiring hospitalization. For instance, Mehdi Karroubi's son stated that his father has undergone four surgeries in these four years. Nevertheless, Javad Larijani claims that the Iranian government has been tolerant towards Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. He stated: 'We have no personal animosity towards these individuals, and those who have provided services in the country are treated with leniency by the system. However, they must accept the burden of the crimes that have occurred.' Previously, Mohammad Hossein Safar-Harandi, a principlist figure, had stated that those under house arrest can leave their homes during the day to buy fresh bread. In another part of his interview with Mehr News Agency, Larijani commented on the issuance of a permit for the entry of Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, to Iran, stating that 'the policy of the Islamic Republic regarding the mechanisms of UN reports is one of cooperation, but reporting has its own specific frameworks, and we have issues with Ahmed Shaheed's methods.' Larijani further stated: 'First, the appointment of the special rapporteur must be justified and should not be biased, as he started taking positions even before his ruling was finalized.' According to the head of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary, 'Ahmed Shaheed has extensive relations with terrorists; our experts have had many discussions with Ahmed Shaheed and we have explained these issues, indicating that our problems with you are technical.' Earlier, Larijani accused Ahmed Shaheed of 'fabricating cases' against the Islamic Republic of Iran and called for his resignation from the position of UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, likening him to an actor speaking against Iran on various television networks. Larijani also stated in a television program aired on Iran's Channel 2 that the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights 'does not operate within frameworks,' saying: 'He is strongly supportive of terrorism, whereas he should align with human rights and oppose terrorism.' The Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied accusations of severe human rights violations in Iran, which have been reflected in reports by the UN Special Rapporteur, claiming that all these criticisms are aimed at 'Iranophobia' and 'Islamophobia.'