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Iran's Opposition Loses a Mentor But Gains a Martyr

(TIME) Robin Wright - Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died at 87, was known as Iran's defiant cleric, first in challenging the autocratic rule of the Shah, and then later in confronting the very revolution he had helped foment. Having once been designated to succeed the revolution's founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, as Supreme Leader, his outspoken criticism of the regime gave cover and legitimacy to the opposition Green Movement - and infuriated a theocracy ruled by clerics of lesser rank. Following the disputed June 12 election, Montazeri publicly questioned the victory of President Ahmadinejad, and warned Iran's security forces that they would have to answer to God for their actions against protestors.
2009-12-22 07:53:34
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