Rahnavard: If There is a Will to End House Arrest, It Must Be Announced Officially and in Writing

The website Kalemeh, close to Mir Hossein Mousavi, denied the rumor about lifting the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders "which is likely originated from security officials." Zahra Rahnavard stated that if there is a will to lift the house arrest, "it must be announced officially and in writing." On Thursday, October 12, Kalemeh accused "specific media" of recently using Rahnavard's limited presence at her daughter's home due to the birth of a newborn as a new news-making opportunity, similar to how they previously reported her presence by her sick mother's bedside as news of "lifting the house arrest." According to the report, following the birth of Rahnavard and Mousavi's daughter, security agents allowed Rahnavard to stay with her child for "three days" before returning her to house arrest. Rahnavard, upon learning of the recent rumor, stated that just as the eight-year house arrest "began with an official written document signed by the Revolutionary Prosecutor and citing criminal charges," its end must also be "officially and in writing announced, thus closing the door to rumor-mongering and contradictory statements." This is the first time it has been mentioned that the start of the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders was based on a judicial order "signed by the Revolutionary Prosecutor" and mentioning the charge of "criminal acts." The house arrest of Zahra Rahnavard, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and Mehdi Karroubi began in February 2011 without a trial. The existence of a National Security Council resolution regarding this has always faced serious doubts, and while close associates of Ayatollah Khamenei have repeatedly referred to such a resolution, Hassan Rouhani, the head of this council, denies the existence of such a resolution. This house arrest has faced widespread internal and international criticism. One of Hassan Rouhani's main slogans in his two electoral campaigns was to end the house arrest; however, his critics say he showed no will to do so. Recently, Gholamhossein Karbaschi, Secretary-General of the Executives of Construction Party, severely criticized Rouhani's government, stating that lifting the house arrest "was not a priority for Hassan Rouhani" and he "only" focused on foreign policy. However, a while ago, the Saham News website, close to Mehdi Karroubi, reported that Hassan Rouhani had requested the lifting of the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders in a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, but the Supreme Leader again opposed this. Several officials of the Islamic Republic, including Ali Motahari, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, have repeatedly stated that the continuation of the house arrest of Mousavi, Rahnavard, and Karroubi is Khamenei's demand, and its end can only occur by his order. In recent months, news about "possible openings" in the house arrest has been published, which has always prompted reactions from the children of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, as well as sources close to them. For instance, about six weeks ago, Kalemeh reported that security agents had opened the windows of the home of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard that had been welded shut eight years ago. However, at that time, Kalemeh noted: "Still, the entire house is not under the control of the detainees... and is under the control of the jailers."