TEHRAN: Iran has banned most memorial services for dissident leader Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri after his funeral turned into an opposition rally, a reformist website reported on Thursday.
Parlemannews.ir, the website of the reformist minority faction in Parliament, said it had learned of a ban after security officials prevented a mosque ceremony for Montazeri in the town of Kashan in Isfahan province on Wednesday.
“Security officials warned the organizers and hung a banner in front of the mosque which read: ‘At the order of the supreme national security council, holding any ceremonies across Iran for Montazeri is banned, except in Qom and Najafabad,’” it said.
Parlemannews and some opposition websites also carried a picture of the banner.
Security forces prevented mourners from holding a memorial service for Montazeriin Isfahan on Wednesday and more than 50 people were reportedly arrested after heavy clashes. Hundreds of thousands poured into the streets of Qom for Montazeri’s funeral on Monday, effectively turning the ceremony into an opposition rally.
