Those Disturbing Khatami's Speech Were Members of Political Parties
December 9, 2000 - 0:0
TEHRAN President Seyed Mohammad Khatami said there is nothing secret to be revealed about serial murders and those who importune to disclose behind-the-scene matters aim to question the independence of the Judiciary. He made the statement in his address to a gathering of students on Dec. 6 marking the Student Day. In the course of President Khatami's address, a number of individuals chanted slogans to disturb the ceremony.
A member of the Central Council of Tehran University Student Basij Mahmoud Dehqan told the TEHRAN TIMES, "A number of groups attending the ceremony had been following political objectives and were opposed to the ceremony." He said these political elements had participated in the ceremony in the name of students but sought political goals charted for them by those who had recruited them from outside. He said President Khatami gave them warning and the students did not let the ceremony to be disturbed.
During his address, President Khatami was asked by students why some innocent prisoners had been kept as inmates and the he replied with another question: "Which innocent prisoner has been kept in jail?" Commenting on this question, Dehqan said, President Khatami provided clear and firm answers to those who had undue expectations. He said political currents cannot and should not judge the verdict issued by the court. Also, a member of the central board of the Office for Consolidation of Unity Ali Afshari told the TEHRAN TIMES that after Khordad 2, student groups have become more active.
He said pressure groups are unable to compete in open atmosphere and hence try to disturb such gatherings. "It is not logical to exploit others' open atmosphere in favor of one's own outlooks," he stressed. Afshari said the main solution is to put an end to the life of pressure groups and those who want to act illegally.
He said it is everyone's right to protest against judicial verdicts and the structure of the present courts that have failed to protect the rights of the prisoners who have been condemned unfairly.
He stressed that student movements pursue the court verdicts and call for release of political prisoners, adding that the president has the right to provide answer to these questions.
A member of the Central Council of Tehran University Student Basij Mahmoud Dehqan told the TEHRAN TIMES, "A number of groups attending the ceremony had been following political objectives and were opposed to the ceremony." He said these political elements had participated in the ceremony in the name of students but sought political goals charted for them by those who had recruited them from outside. He said President Khatami gave them warning and the students did not let the ceremony to be disturbed.
During his address, President Khatami was asked by students why some innocent prisoners had been kept as inmates and the he replied with another question: "Which innocent prisoner has been kept in jail?" Commenting on this question, Dehqan said, President Khatami provided clear and firm answers to those who had undue expectations. He said political currents cannot and should not judge the verdict issued by the court. Also, a member of the central board of the Office for Consolidation of Unity Ali Afshari told the TEHRAN TIMES that after Khordad 2, student groups have become more active.
He said pressure groups are unable to compete in open atmosphere and hence try to disturb such gatherings. "It is not logical to exploit others' open atmosphere in favor of one's own outlooks," he stressed. Afshari said the main solution is to put an end to the life of pressure groups and those who want to act illegally.
He said it is everyone's right to protest against judicial verdicts and the structure of the present courts that have failed to protect the rights of the prisoners who have been condemned unfairly.
He stressed that student movements pursue the court verdicts and call for release of political prisoners, adding that the president has the right to provide answer to these questions.