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Hardliner Editor Criticized For Likening Judiciary Chief To Cyrus the Great


Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and head of Judiciary Ebrahim Raeesi, undated. File photo
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and head of Judiciary Ebrahim Raeesi, undated. File photo

In two separate developments, Iran’s Judiciary chief appointed by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has come under criticism and attacks on Monday.

A conservative lawmaker has strongly criticized the editor of hardliner Kayhan newspaper, affiliated with Ayatollah Khamenei's office, for describing Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeesi (Raeisi) as "The Bicentennial," a nickname that belongs to Cyrus the Great.

Kayhan's editor, Hossein Shariatmadari who has also been appointed by Khamenei and is his representative, in an editorial on Saturday praised Raeesi who is for "fighting financial corruption" and likened him to ancient King Cyrus the Great who is revered by Iranian monarchists, among many other Iranians and respected by other nations.

Jahanbakhsh Mohebinia reminded at the Majles (parliament) session on Sunday that "Some people once regarded Ahmadinejad as one of the disciples of the 12th Imam." He was referring to Kayhan's support for Iran's ultraconservative president, particularly during his first term in office, 2005-2009.

In another development, hardliner Jomhouri Eslami (Islamic Republic) newspaper revealed on Monday August 2 that several young clerics led by a "rogue clergyman" disrupted a speech by Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeesi in Qom.

However, the daily says the angry and "impolite" clerics were protesting the head of the Islamic Propagation Office who wanted to speak before Raeesi. They questioned the credentials of the office's chief, although he has been appointed by Khamenei.

Heckling speakers in Qom has been a recurrent act, where a few years ago, clerics hurled shoes at Majles Speaker Ali Larijani.

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