Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami warned on Sunday of the dangerous repercussions of the Iran authorities’ decision to prohibit demonstrations in support of presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi in Tehran.

Khatami said, “Prohibiting people from expressing their demands in a civilized manner will have dire consequences.”

The Iranian Mehr news agency broadcast a statement by Khatami saying that the widespread participation in the presidential elections was one of the largest achievements of the Islamic Revolution. He added that this clearly demonstrated that the people are the “owners” of the state and the revolution.

The former president said that the silent protests and the civilized behavior of the demonstrators proved their sense of responsibility.

“Linking the healthy movements of the people with foreign interference is a flawed political practice, which leads to alienating the people from the government,” Khatami said.

He also said that there is still a chance to resolve the current crisis, but not by putting the issue “in the hands of a referee who is also under suspicion and complaint.”

Khatami added that a just, impartial and courageous commission, trusted by the opposition, should be appointed to handle the situation and that everyone should accept its judgment.

“This is the only solution to safely overcome the current phase and a positive step on the path to reinforce the Iranian system and to settle the crisis in the best interests of the Iranian people and the principles of the revolution,” the former reformist president said. 

-NOW Staff