...

Reformists under fire again before Iran elections

Iran Materials 13 March 2008 14:10 (UTC +04:00)

(dpa) - Just 24 hours before the parliamentary elections in Iran, the country's reformists came under fire again from their conservative opponents over alleged secret links to European Union diplomats, Fars news agency reported Thursday.

The pro-Ahmadinejad conservative faction has started a new campaign against the reformists, charging them with seeking EU support to put pressure on the government.

The main target of the conservatives is the brother of former president Mohammad Khatami, Mohammad-Reza Khatami, who is accused of having had alleged secret meetings with the EU ambassadors and diplomats.

Following the controversy over the meeting with German ambassador Herbert Honsowitz earlier this month, Khatami is also charged with having had several meetings with British diplomats to Tehran.

"We have proof for the meetings with the British diplomats," said conservative candidate, Ruhollah Hosseinian, who is part of the faction supporting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The Iranian foreign ministry claims not to have been informed about Khatami's meeting with the German ambassador but in keeping with protocol, foreign ambassadors in Iran only need permission for meeting official circles but not political groups.

The reformists are also charged with having the support of the United States which is Iran's arch foe and is accused of planning to topple the Islamic system.

Conservatives try to persuade the people not to vote in favour of deputies who seek foreign support and hence undermine the country's independence.

Latest

Latest