World News Iranian protestors rally at fallen cleric's funeral

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Tens of thousands of Iranian mourners — many chanting protest slogans — joined the funeral procession Dec. 21 for the country's most senior dissident cleric, who had described government crackdowns as the work of power hungry despots.

Iranian authorities have barred foreign media from covering the processions in the holy city of Qom for Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, who died Dec. 20 at age 87. But witnesses said many mourners shouted protests that included "death to the dictator" in displays of anger against Iran's ruling establishment.

The funeral rites for Montazeri put authorities into a difficult spot. They were obliged to pay respects to one of the patriarchs of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and one time heir-apparent to Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini. But officials worried Montazeri's death and its associated ceremonies could serve as a rallying point for dissidents. (AP)

モンタゼリ師の葬儀に数十万人

イラン改革派の高位聖職者ホセイン・アリ・モンタゼリ師の葬儀が12月21日、同国の聖地コムで行なわれた。葬儀には数十万人の支持者らが参列し、一部が警察と衝突した。

Shukan ST: January 1, 2010

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