Iran's supreme leader demands apology for election-fraud accusations
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 29 July 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran's supreme leader demands apology for election-fraud accusations, 29 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/520894cf14.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 29, 2013
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran's supreme leader has demanded apologies from those who alleged there was fraud during the 2009 presidential election.
Addressing a group of students in Tehran on July 28, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "illegal" protests after the election could have "led Iran into chaos."
Iran's state news agency IRNA quoted Khamenei as saying: "Why did those who claimed fraud go to the streets, causing people to protest? We asked them repeatedly to handle the matter privately, not publicly."
He was not specific about who should apologize.
Khamenei's remarks came as some Iranian lawmakers called for the release of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Musavi and Mehdi Karrubi.
Both have been under house arrest since 2011.
They both ran against outgoing President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in the 2009 vote, with Musavi losing the runoff to Ahmadinejad.
The reformists disputed Ahmadinejad's reelection, which provoked mass protests and a harsh government crackdown.
Based on reporting by IRNA, Trend.az, and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website