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President Khatami says death verdict on Aghajari "improper" |
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Tehran, Nov 13, IRNA -- President Mohammad Khatami here Wednesday said that the death sentence, handed to university professor Hashem Aghajari on charge of blasphemy, was an "improper verdict". "This was an improper verdict and I personally do not agree with such confrontations at all," he told reporters after a cabinet session. The Iranian president also defended Aghajari, who lost his leg as well as his brother during the Iraqi imposed-war of 1980-1988. "It is hard to issue a ruling on ideological matters, especially in the case of a person whose record is bright and the material said about him could be interpreted in a way that no fault is found in his work," Khatami added. Aghajari was summoned to court in August this year after he called for religious restructuring and criticized the Islamic principle of emulation (Taqlid) from religious leaders in Shia-dominated Iran. He was sentenced to death by a court of first order in Hamedan last Wednesday for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The local court further sentenced him to an eight-year imprisonment in desert cities and 74 flogs as well as banned him from teaching for 10 years. Khatami hoped that the case would be resolved in the earliest so that the ensuing problems are averted. "Given that this ruling must not have been issued at all, we hope this matter will be settled in a favorable manner so that no problems are created for the country," he said. "Failing to consider all aspects as well as overall interests of the (Islamic) system and international sensitivities could lead to problems," Khatami added. "Officials of the three branches of power must beware that such a condition does not arise," he said, adding "We hope this verdict, which does not seem to be applicable and will not be applied, will be resolved soon." The verdict has been denounced as "too harsh" as several thousand students have held peaceful protest rallies over recent days. Khatami invited them to remain calm and prevent from giving pretext to "those who deny the principles of the Islamic Republic". "Any action, which may cause tensions and create problems, must be shunned at this juncture," he said, adding "We must abstain from giving pretexts to those who deny the principles of the Islamic Republic, religious democracy as well as progress of affairs". Khatami also welcomed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Monday advice to officials of the three branches to quit political bickering and get down to brass tacks, including corruption in some state offices. "We always pay attention to supreme leader's suggestions as well as his overall policies," he said. "The best action is to use legal channels, but if the three branches of power some day fail or do not want to resolve bigger problems, the leadership will call the popular force into the arena in order to tackle the problems," the leader said. Khatami reiterated his government's resolve to stem social corruption, including its recent submission of a bill to fight money laundering. |
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