Teheran mayor arrest turns political
UPI
Teheran mayor arrest turns political
TEHERAN, Iran April 6 (UPI) - The Iranian Cabinet is poised (Monday)
to discuss Sunday's arrest of Teheran's mayor, a key ally of the
moderate president Mohammad Khatami. The moderate mayor's arrest on
corruption charges prompted the interior ministry to say it should have
been consulted and political reformers close to Khatami are rallying
support.
bc-iran-politics
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UPI
Teheran mayor arrest turns political
TEHERAN, Iran April 6 (UPI) - The Iranian cabinet is poised to
discuss the arrest of Teheran's mayor, Gholamhossein Karbaschi, a key
ally of the moderate president Mohammad Khatami.
A political dispute is developing over his arrest Sunday on
corruption charges. The interior ministry said it should have been
consulted and political reformers close to President Khatami sought to
rally support for the moderate mayor.
The Servants of Construction, a political group representing Iranian
moderates, including Karbaschi, condemned the move as ``purely
political.''
Government spokesman Ataollah Mohajerani said the Cabinet would give
``priority to the affair and will make a pronouncement.'' The mayor is
being held on charges of embezzlement, mismanagement and violating the
government's rights.
The 47-year-old mayor has dismissed the corruption allegations as
part of a fierce political campaign by his conservative opponents in the
judiciary because of his support for the president.
In his eight years in the post, Karbaschi has been widely credited
with transforming Teheran by building low-cost housing and financing
public parks.
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