Larijani: If the Resolution on the House Arrest of Mousavi and Karroubi Changes, They Will Be Tried

The head of Iran's judiciary stated that whenever the National Security Council's resolution regarding the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, two leaders who protested the results of the 2009 presidential election, changes, the judiciary is ready to hold their trial. He also mentioned comments from what he termed 'some elements of sedition' claiming that 'the outcome of the trial is not important to them and they want a platform to express their views' as another reason for the judiciary's decision not to hold a trial for Mousavi and Karroubi. According to IRNA news agency, Sadeq Amoli Larijani said on Wednesday, January 1, 'Those who say the house arrest is illegal and unconstitutional only accept half of the constitution.' He added, 'While one must consider the entire constitution and understand that according to Article 176, the National Security Council has specific duties, and the mechanism for its resolutions and their validity is completely clear.' Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi, leaders of the protests against the 2009 presidential election, have been under house arrest without trial since February 2011. In recent months, various political parties and figures in Iran, including the Society of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary, former President Mohammad Khatami, and Tehran MP Ali Motahari, have called for the lifting of the house arrest of these three individuals. Ali Motahari described their house arrest on Wednesday as 'violating multiple principles' of the Islamic Republic's constitution. The head of the judiciary continued by stating, 'We do not say that there has been an indictment or that a court has been formed in the National Security Council,' adding, 'The National Security Council has made resolutions based on its duties and the interests of the system, which are completely correct and legal, and it has prevented the movement and incitement of seditionists for future seditions.' Mehdi Taeb, head of the Ammar Headquarters, stated on January 1 that Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have been 'indicted' in the National Security Council, and 'the issue of their rebellion has been proven to the members of this council.' Sadeq Amoli Larijani further stated, 'They say that the system and the judiciary have nothing to say and do not have the courage to try the leaders of sedition, but our response is that the judiciary is much more powerful than to fear the trial of the leaders of sedition.' He cited the 'National Security Council's resolution regarding the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Karroubi' and some comments from what he termed 'some elements of sedition' about 'the outcome of the trial not being important to them and wanting a platform to express their views' as two considerations and reasons for the judiciary's decision not to hold their trial. In his latest message from house arrest, Mir Hossein Mousavi expressed his readiness to attend court, stating, 'I am ready to respond to the accusations and to reveal the truths related to the sources of the immense corruption that has engulfed the country and the revolution.' The head of the judiciary reiterated that whenever the National Security Council's resolution regarding the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi changes, the judiciary is prepared to hold their trial. He also stated, 'However, we must say that the court will not be a place for the leaders of sedition to express their grievances and incite the emotions of the people; these individuals must defend themselves and their actions in court, and their case is sufficiently filled with accusations.' Mehdi Karroubi, in a message, asked Ali Motahari to pursue his 'right' to a trial and to prepare 'the necessary arrangements for holding a public court.' Mr. Motahari stated on July 8 that in a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of Iran, he described the crimes of Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi as significant and mentioned that if they were tried, 'a very heavy sentence' awaited them.