Mehdi Karroubi's Son: If Rouhani Truly Wanted to Lift House Arrest, He Could Have

On the fourth anniversary of his father's house arrest, Mehdi Karroubi's children criticized President Hassan Rouhani, accusing him of failing to adhere to his electoral promises to lift the house arrest of Iran's opposition leaders. The Saham News website, close to Mehdi Karroubi, published an interview with Mohammad Hossein Karroubi in the London Times, stating that Hassan Rouhani is making no effort to lift the house arrest of Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and Zahra Rahnavard. In this interview, Mohammad Hossein Karroubi remarked, "If Rouhani truly had the will to lift the house arrest, he certainly has the capability, just as he crossed many red lines during the nuclear negotiations." During the 2013 presidential election campaign, Hassan Rouhani promised that if he won, he could create conditions within a year for not only the release of those under house arrest but also those imprisoned due to the events of 2009. On December 7 of this year, while addressing students, he responded to their chants for lifting the house arrest of opposition leaders by saying, "Our path and our course are the same as we promised you from the very beginning. Our covenant with you is unbreakable." However, Mehdi Karroubi's and Mir Hossein Mousavi's children have stated in recent remarks and statements that the conditions of house arrest have not fundamentally changed, with Mohammad Hossein Karroubi warning about his father's deteriorating health. He emphasized that the dire conditions and pressures on his father have caused him to lose his health, having undergone four surgeries over the past four years. Saham News also reported on a ceremony in Cologne commemorating the fourth anniversary of the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders, where Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, another son of Mehdi Karroubi, criticized Hassan Rouhani. He stated, "House arrest should be discussed with the people and pursued by society. Time has proven that behind-the-scenes negotiations with officials are not a solution to lift house arrest. Mr. Rouhani is obligated to be accountable to the people who supported him, and the government must speak transparently and clearly about domestic issues." Previously, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the government spokesman for Hassan Rouhani, had said that the president is quietly pursuing the lifting of house arrest for reformist figures and the release of political prisoners. However, Mohammad Taghi Karroubi insists that Hassan Rouhani has been neglectful of domestic issues, such as lifting house arrest. During the ceremony, political activist Eisa Saharkhiz, who was in Tehran, spoke via Skype, accusing Rouhani's government of failing to pursue the people's demands. He stated, "Mr. Rouhani has formed a government where few members pursue the people's demands. Mr. Rouhani should form a cohesive government that aligns with the wishes of the voting public. We must identify those who want to continue house arrest to prevent their re-election to the next parliament." Recently, Hossein Shariatmadari, the representative of the Supreme Leader in the Kayhan newspaper, stated that Hassan Rouhani is not in favor of lifting the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. In this context, the United States has called for the release of Rahnavard, Mousavi, and Karroubi, stating that "the leader and the Supreme National Security Council do not have the legal authority to issue house arrest orders." The Combatant Clergy Association has urged Rouhani to resolve the house arrest issue by garnering the Supreme Leader's support. Ali Motahari has noted that freedom of expression has become more restricted under Rouhani's government. Conservative anger has been expressed over the remarks of the Vice President of the German Parliament regarding lifting house arrest. Mohammad Reza Bahonar stated that house arrest and nuclear issues cannot be resolved through a referendum. The Vice President of the German Parliament in Tehran stated that house arrest must be lifted. Ahmad Jannati remarked that "four idiots" are advocating for lifting house arrest.