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| Rare opportunity to voice dissent in Iran as thousands mourn Rafsanjani | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of mourners have packed the streets of Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whose death has shaken up the country’s political balance. | Hundreds of thousands of mourners have packed the streets of Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, whose death has shaken up the country’s political balance. |
| The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the funeral prayers at Tehran University campus as critics and supporters alike paid tribute to an ayatollah who was considered “a pillar” of the Islamic Republic, a crucial mediator and, more recently, an advocate of political openness and better relations with the west. | The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the funeral prayers at Tehran University campus as critics and supporters alike paid tribute to an ayatollah who was considered “a pillar” of the Islamic Republic, a crucial mediator and, more recently, an advocate of political openness and better relations with the west. |
| Iranians from across the political spectrum attempted to claim the ayatollah for their own. Among those attending were the prominent student activist Bahareh Hedayat, who has served several years in jail, as well as Qassem Suleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds force, the external arm of the powerful Revolutionary Guards. | Iranians from across the political spectrum attempted to claim the ayatollah for their own. Among those attending were the prominent student activist Bahareh Hedayat, who has served several years in jail, as well as Qassem Suleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds force, the external arm of the powerful Revolutionary Guards. |
| Supporters of Iran’s opposition Green movement, who were heavily crushed in post-election unrest in 2009, used a rare opportunity to chant in support of opposition leaders under house arrest, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein,” many mourners shouted, in a reminder of Rafsanjani’s support for the opposition. | Supporters of Iran’s opposition Green movement, who were heavily crushed in post-election unrest in 2009, used a rare opportunity to chant in support of opposition leaders under house arrest, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. “Ya Hossein, Mir Hossein,” many mourners shouted, in a reminder of Rafsanjani’s support for the opposition. |
| One video apparently taken from the funeral showed a group of mourners chanting “Death to Russia”, in criticism of the state’s ally. | One video apparently taken from the funeral showed a group of mourners chanting “Death to Russia”, in criticism of the state’s ally. |
| Rafsanjani, who died on Sunday due to “heart complications”, was Iran’s greatest political survivor and a leading force in its politics. He was an ultimate insider; a founding member of the 1979 Islamic revolution, a former de facto commander-in-chief of Iranian military during Iran-Iraq war and a two-time president, who was seen as the country’s second most powerful political figure for much of the Islamic Republic’s history. His opponents say he jailed many of his critics too. | Rafsanjani, who died on Sunday due to “heart complications”, was Iran’s greatest political survivor and a leading force in its politics. He was an ultimate insider; a founding member of the 1979 Islamic revolution, a former de facto commander-in-chief of Iranian military during Iran-Iraq war and a two-time president, who was seen as the country’s second most powerful political figure for much of the Islamic Republic’s history. His opponents say he jailed many of his critics too. |
| But during his later years, his political allegiances shifted towards reformists and, as a result, he was greatly sidelined. Two of his children were imprisoned and in 2013, his bid for presidency was blocked. This change of heart led to him restoring some of the popular credibility he had lost while he was in power. | But during his later years, his political allegiances shifted towards reformists and, as a result, he was greatly sidelined. Two of his children were imprisoned and in 2013, his bid for presidency was blocked. This change of heart led to him restoring some of the popular credibility he had lost while he was in power. |
| Rafsanjani was due to be buried alongside the late Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini, the founder of the revolution, in a sumptuous shrine in south Tehran. Earlier in the day, senior officials, including the president Hassan Rouhani, attended his funeral prayers. | Rafsanjani was due to be buried alongside the late Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini, the founder of the revolution, in a sumptuous shrine in south Tehran. Earlier in the day, senior officials, including the president Hassan Rouhani, attended his funeral prayers. |
| The funeral ceremony was hosted by Khamenei despite a rift with Rafsanjani in recent years. This meant that most of the people on the first row of the prayers were his critics, including hardline clerics, as members of Rafsanjani’s immediate family were pushed on the rows behind. | The funeral ceremony was hosted by Khamenei despite a rift with Rafsanjani in recent years. This meant that most of the people on the first row of the prayers were his critics, including hardline clerics, as members of Rafsanjani’s immediate family were pushed on the rows behind. |
| One picture circulating online from early morning depicted Rafsanjani’s daughter, Faezeh, who was previously jailed over her support for the opposition, showing a victory sign in a move that was seen as her support for change. Rafsanjani’s more recent political leaning was partly credited to his children, especially Faezeh, who strongly supports the greater presence of women in society. | One picture circulating online from early morning depicted Rafsanjani’s daughter, Faezeh, who was previously jailed over her support for the opposition, showing a victory sign in a move that was seen as her support for change. Rafsanjani’s more recent political leaning was partly credited to his children, especially Faezeh, who strongly supports the greater presence of women in society. |
| The former president Mohammad Khatami, the leader of Iran’s reformist movement, was reported to have been banned from attending the funeral. Khatami has recently faced restrictions on his movements because he is seen as a supporter of Mousavi and Karroubi. Local media have been banned from using his images or publishing his name. | The former president Mohammad Khatami, the leader of Iran’s reformist movement, was reported to have been banned from attending the funeral. Khatami has recently faced restrictions on his movements because he is seen as a supporter of Mousavi and Karroubi. Local media have been banned from using his images or publishing his name. |
| While in power, Rafsanjani advocated better relations with Iran’s Arab neighbours. Officials from Turkey, Afghanistan, Bahrain, which is currently at odds with Iran, and even the White House press secretary expressed condolences. | While in power, Rafsanjani advocated better relations with Iran’s Arab neighbours. Officials from Turkey, Afghanistan, Bahrain, which is currently at odds with Iran, and even the White House press secretary expressed condolences. |
| Rafsanjani’s death has concerned many moderates in Iran about the trajectory of the country. Many believe his main legacy has been Rouhani, who was seen as the ayatollah’s protege. Officials from Tehran’s municipality announced on Tuesday that a street will be named after Rafsanjani. | Rafsanjani’s death has concerned many moderates in Iran about the trajectory of the country. Many believe his main legacy has been Rouhani, who was seen as the ayatollah’s protege. Officials from Tehran’s municipality announced on Tuesday that a street will be named after Rafsanjani. |