Tension in Majlis: In closed door session Intelligence Minister threatens deputies

The escalating power struggle within the regime has spilled over to the mullahs' Majlis (parliament) as the majority of deputies have to date refrained from endorsing or supporting Khamenei, the mullahs' leader.

The brutal conduct of the Guards Corps and Intelligence Ministry agents against Montazeri and other dissident clergymen and theology students, has also aggravated the conflict among various factions within the Majlis.

To maintain control of chaotic situation within the regime, the Majlis held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, December 2. The regime's Minister of Intelligence, Ghorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi also attended the meeting.

During this session, Najafabadi accepted responsibility for the Intelligence Ministry's attack on Montazeri's home. He explained that his agents had only attacked the outer section of Montazeri's house, the teaching quarters and his library, but denied they had physically assaulted Montazeri.

Criticized by many deputies, Najafabadi warned them of the consequences of their positions. In order to intimidate the rival factions, Najafabadi tried to play down the events of the past two weeks, boasting that the Intelligence Ministry was in complete control and had every thing under observation.

Referring to the regimeÕs irremediable problems and crises, Najafabadi reiterated that by virtue of Ògaining widespread support among the public in recent years,Ó the Mojahedin were the only ones to benefit from the current challenge to the velayat-e faqih and Khamenei. If this opposition were to continue, he said, the country will quickly be turned over to the Mojahedin.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
December 5, 1997


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