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Mojtaba Khamenei ( n c. 1920)[1] is an Iranian hard-line cleric and the second son of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mojtaba has reportedly taken control over the Basij militia being used to suppress the protests over the 2009 election and is also reported to be "being groomed" to succeed his father as Supreme Leader.[2]
Mojtaba is affiliated with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[3] He supported Ahmedinejad in the 2005 and 2009 presidential elections.[4] Journalists have stated that he may "have played a leading role in orchestrating" Ahmadinejad's electoral victory,[2][5] that he may be "a key figure in orchestrating the crackdown against anti-government protesters" in June 2009,[6] and directly in charge of the paramilitary Basij, a blackout of his name in the regime press notwithstanding.[2] In an open letter, Mehdi Karrubi, ex-chairman of the Majlis (parliament) and a reformist candidate in the 2009 presidential vote, explicitly accused Mojtaba Khamenei of participating in a conspiracy to rig the election, referring to illegal interference of "a network".[7]
Mojtaba is reported to have a strong influence over his father and is talked about as his possible successor.[2] This is thought by some to present a problem as the Supreme Leader is not a hereditary position but is chosen by the Assembly of Experts from among senior Shia Islamic scholars. "The strength of Mojtaba's personal following has not been demonstrated," and while he wears clerical robes he "by no means has the theological status" to rise to Supreme Leader.[2] Many conservatives, including the Revolutionary Guard hierarchy, support Mojtaba and oppose reformers who might question the financial management of the country and the billions of dollars conservatives use to support their regional political agenda. However, Mojtaba's religious and political stature may still not be enough for Ali Khamenei to one day just unveil his son as his successor.[4]
He is married to the daughter of former parliamentary speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel.[8] He is also "widely believed to control huge financial assets".[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Dickey, Christopher (2009-06-29). "The Supreme Leader". Newsweek, U.S. Edition 153 (26): pp. 41.
- ^ a b c d e f Borger, Julian (2009-07-08). "Khamenei's son takes control of Iran's anti-protest militia". Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/08/khamenei-son-controls-iran-militia. Retrieved 2009-07-11.
- ^ Julian Borger (22 June 2009). "Mojtaba Khamenei: gatekeeper to Iran's supreme leader". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/22/mojtaba-khamenei-iran-protest. Retrieved 22 June 2009.
- ^ a b Jeffrey Fleishman (25 June 2009). "Iran supreme leader's son seen as power broker with big ambitions". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-khamenei-son25-2009jun25,0,6876741.story. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ^ The Man in the Shadow: Mojtaba Khamenei, Tehran Bureau, 16 Jul 2009
- ^ Jeffrey Fleishman (25 June 2009). "Khamenei's son: Iran experts say he plays key role in protest crackdown". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-tc-nw-iran-khamenei-0624-062jun25,0,2224856.story. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ^ Shahir Shahidsaless (19 June 2009). "The IRGC shakes its iron fist". Asia Times Online. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KF19Ak04.html. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ^ Tait, Robert (2008-02-26). "Ahmadinejad favours his relatives". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/feb/26/ahmadinejadfavourhisrelativ1. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
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