Rouhani Warns of Undermining Presidential Powers in Iran

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen at a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the members of the Assembly of Experts. (Supreme Leader's website)
Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen at a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the members of the Assembly of Experts. (Supreme Leader's website)
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Rouhani Warns of Undermining Presidential Powers in Iran

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen at a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the members of the Assembly of Experts. (Supreme Leader's website)
Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is seen at a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the members of the Assembly of Experts. (Supreme Leader's website)

Former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani strongly criticized the Iranian electoral body for disqualifying him from running in the Assembly of Experts elections that were held in March, describing the move as a threat to the country’s political system, particularly the presidency.

Rouhani has repeatedly asked for explanations from the Guardian Council, the body overseeing Iranian elections.

His disqualification was unexpected and came during elections aimed at selecting influential clerics for the Assembly of Experts, who would potentially choose the next Supreme Leader.

Rouhani’s recent political rejection raised eyebrows in political circles, considering his extensive track record.

Having served as President for eight years (2013-2021) and previously holding key positions like Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council for 16 years under reformist leaders, Rouhani seemed like a formidable candidate.

Additionally, his 24-year stint in the Assembly of Experts added weight to his credentials.

On Monday, Rouhani revealed details of a “confidential” letter from Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, explaining the reasons for his disqualification.

The Council, a key institution under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, holds significant sway, with half its members directly chosen by him and the others indirectly selected.

According to a statement on Rouhani’s official website, the Guardian Council responded after he sent four letters asking why he was rejected and three more requesting supporting documents.

Rouhani briefly mentioned the points from the Guardian Council’s letter, indicating he was accused of “disrespecting the judiciary and the Council”, “lacking knowledge and political vision”, “not following the constitution”, “challenging religious beliefs”, and being “untrustworthy”.

However, Rouhani provided a detailed response exceeding 5,000 words, defending himself. He said it “was not just a personal defense, but a defense of the republic and the system,” and that he would not stay silent against this injustice.

He warned that future presidents could lose political freedom if they face similar charges.

Rouhani explained that his criticism of being accused of lacking political vision was due to his government’s openness to the West, particularly regarding the 2015 nuclear deal negotiations.

He said the Guardian Council’s message unfairly judged the deal and Iran’s foreign and regional policies.

He defended the nuclear deal with major powers as a symbol of domestic moderation and constructive global engagement.

He blamed both the parliament and the Guardian Council for blocking his government’s efforts to revive the deal. He urged the Council to read the nuclear deal thoroughly, noting that its implementation involved various government bodies.

Moreover, Rouhani rejected claims that his government had neglected foreign policy, citing improved ties with Russia and China.

He questioned the basis for judging his political vision, emphasizing widespread support among Iranians.

Rouhani’s failed bid for membership in the Assembly of Experts was his latest attempt to maintain influence since leaving office in August 2021.



Bangladesh Protest Leaders Taken from Hospital by Police

People take part in a song march to protest against the indiscriminate killings and mass arrest in Dhaka on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
People take part in a song march to protest against the indiscriminate killings and mass arrest in Dhaka on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
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Bangladesh Protest Leaders Taken from Hospital by Police

People take part in a song march to protest against the indiscriminate killings and mass arrest in Dhaka on July 26, 2024. (AFP)
People take part in a song march to protest against the indiscriminate killings and mass arrest in Dhaka on July 26, 2024. (AFP)

Bangladeshi police detectives on Friday forced the discharge from hospital of three student protest leaders blamed for deadly unrest, taking them to an unknown location, staff told AFP.

Nahid Islam, Asif Mahmud and Abu Baker Majumder are all members of Students Against Discrimination, the group responsible for organizing this month's street rallies against civil service hiring rules.

At least 195 people were killed in the ensuing police crackdown and clashes, according to an AFP count of victims reported by police and hospitals, in some of the worst unrest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure.

All three were patients at a hospital in the capital Dhaka, and at least two of them said their injuries were caused by torture in earlier police custody.

"They took them from us," Gonoshasthaya hospital supervisor Anwara Begum Lucky told AFP. "The men were from the Detective Branch."

She added that she had not wanted to discharge the student leaders but police had pressured the hospital chief to do so.

Islam's elder sister Fatema Tasnim told AFP from the hospital that six plainclothes detectives had taken all three men.

The trio's student group had suspended fresh protests at the start of this week, saying they had wanted the reform of government job quotas but not "at the expense of so much blood".

The pause was due to expire earlier on Friday but the group had given no indication of its future course of action.

Islam, 26, the chief coordinator of Students Against Discrimination, told AFP from his hospital bed on Monday that he feared for his life.

He said that two days beforehand, a group of people identifying themselves as police detectives blindfolded and handcuffed him and took him to an unknown location.

Islam added that he had come to his senses the following morning on a roadside in Dhaka.

Mahmud earlier told AFP that he had also been detained by police and beaten at the height of last week's unrest.

Three senior police officers in Dhaka all denied that the trio had been taken from the hospital and into custody on Friday.

- Garment tycoon arrested -

Police told AFP on Thursday that they had arrested at least 4,000 people since the unrest began last week, including 2,500 in Dhaka.

On Friday police said they had arrested David Hasanat, the founder and chief executive of one of Bangladesh's biggest garment factory enterprises.

His Viyellatex Group employs more than 15,000 people according to its website, and its annual turnover was estimated at $400 million by the Daily Star newspaper last year.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police inspector Abu Sayed Miah said Hasanat and several others were suspected of financing the "anarchy, arson and vandalism" of last week.

Bangladesh makes around $50 billion in annual export earnings from the textile trade, which services leading global brands including H&M, Gap and others.

Student protests began this month after the reintroduction in June of a scheme reserving more than half of government jobs for certain candidates.

With around 18 million young people in Bangladesh out of work, according to government figures, the move deeply upset graduates facing an acute jobs crisis.

Critics say the quota is used to stack public jobs with loyalists to Hasina's Awami League.

- 'Call to the nation' -

The Supreme Court cut the number of reserved jobs on Sunday but fell short of protesters' demands to scrap the quotas entirely.

Hasina has ruled Bangladesh since 2009 and won her fourth consecutive election in January after a vote without genuine opposition.

Her government is also accused by rights groups of misusing state institutions to entrench its hold on power and stamp out dissent, including the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists.

Hasina continued a tour of government buildings that had been ransacked by protesters, on Friday visiting state broadcaster Bangladesh Television, which was partly set ablaze last week.

"Find those who were involved in this," she said, according to state news agency BSS.

"Cooperate with us to ensure their punishment. I am making this call to the nation."