Israel Matzav

Iran: Pro-government legislators demand death penalty for opposition leaders

Iran had quite a cheering section when there was an uprising in Egypt over the last couple of weeks. But when it comes to demonstrations in their own country, Iran's leaders say "shoot to kill."

Hardline Iranian lawmakers called on Tuesday for the country's opposition leaders to face trial and be put to death, a day after clashes between opposition protesters and security forces left two people dead and dozens injured.

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At an open session of parliament Tuesday, pro-government legislators demanded opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mahdi Karroubi and former reformist President Mohammad Khatami face be held responsible for the protests.

Pumping their fists in the air, the lawmakers chanted "death to Mousavi, Karroubi and Khatami."

"We believe the people have lost their patience and demand capital punishment" for the opposition leaders, 221 lawmakers said in a statement.

Hardliners have long sought to put senior opposition figures on trial, but the calls for the death penalty signaled an escalation in their demands.

Parliament formed a special committee to review the case and decide in coming days about how the government should deal with the opposition leaders.

There is weakness in Washington and therefore everyone does what he sees fit. Read the whole thing.

Labels: Iran elections, Iran protests, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad Khatami

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:15 AM