IRAN: Video shows militiamen terrorizing opposition cleric

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Video uploaded to the Internet Friday purports to show pro-government henchman attacking the home of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, a 72-year-old cleric. The militiamen, who allegedly stormed Karroubi’s house Thursday, belonged to the government backed Basiji or Ansar-e-Hezbollah militias, often poorly groomed and unkempt religious extremists who serve as the regime’s violent shock troops.

The rioters chanted ‘Mashallah! Hezbollah!’ in support of the extremist Ansar-Hezbollah group.

‘The blood that is in our veins is a gift to our leader,’ they chanted in reference to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who is Iran’s ultimate power. ‘Death to Karroubi!’

Police did nothing as the unruly militiamen entered Karroubi’s house and pummeled one of his bodyguards.

The rioters, supported by the highest levels of the Iranian government, probably were angry about Karroubi’s plans to attend Quds Day ceremonies Friday and the launch of a new satellite television channel that hopes to break the regime’s monopoly on information.

-- Los Angeles Times

Video: Thursday night at the home of Mehdi Karroubi. Credit: YouTube