Motahari: We Are Still Seeking a Meeting with the House Arrested

Ali Motahari, the Deputy Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, stated on Tuesday that during his meeting with Mohammad Khatami, the former President of Iran, they did not discuss the issue of the house arrest of Zahra Rahnavard, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and Mehdi Karroubi, leaders of the protests against the 2009 presidential election results, but he is still pursuing the subject of meeting with the house-arrested individuals. According to IRNA, Ali Motahari mentioned that they talked about current issues during his meeting with the reformist government leader. In response to the question of whether the house arrest was discussed, he clarified: "It was not a private meeting to discuss this matter. However, we are pursuing our plan to meet with the house-arrested individuals." Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi have been under house arrest since February 2011, without a trial, for more than six years. Recently, thousands, including several political, social, and civil activists in Iran, have called for an end to their house arrest in an open letter addressed to the heads of the three branches of government, parliament representatives, and other officials, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of their house arrest. Previously, one of the parliament representatives stated that "with Ali Motahari's tireless efforts," there would be "good news" regarding the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders before the New Year. Regarding the report on the cancellation of Motahari's speech in Mashhad, he also mentioned that the report has been completed and submitted to the commission, but it is still unclear whether it will be read in the assembly. He added that they submitted both the reports from the councils' commission and the Ministry of Interior to the Special Court for Clergy. Ali Motahari was scheduled to give a speech on Sunday, November 30, coinciding with the Arbaeen ceremony, in Mashhad, but the prosecutor of Mashhad ordered the cancellation of the speech and the sealing of the venue. The prevention of Ali Motahari's speech comes after he was previously prevented from speaking in Shiraz as well. In recent years, many speeches by reformist or critical figures have been attacked or interrupted, and some have been canceled before they could take place. In this context, Motahari's letter to the prosecutor regarding the house arrest states: "Instead of these justifications, implement justice." The continuation of house arrest after six years; is it a resolution of the Supreme National Security Council or a decree from the leader? A warning to the leaders of the Green Movement: "If they remain steadfast in their position, the system will not forgive them." A parliament representative: We will hear good news about the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders before the New Year. The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. request for the release of Karroubi, Mousavi, and Rahnavard. Motahari criticized actions "against the constitution" in the government.