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Top dissident Iranian cleric dies Top dissident Iranian cleric dies
(20 minutes later)
The senior Iranian dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri has died, state-run Iranian media say. One of Iran's most prominent dissident clerics, Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri, has died aged 87.
It is not yet clear how the 87-year-old theologian, who was based in the holy city Qom, south of Tehran, passed away. "Hoseyn Ali Montazeri passed away in his home last night," state-owned Irna news agency said.
"Hoseyn Ali Montazeri passed away in his home last night," Irna news agency said without mentioning his title. Hoseyn Ali Montazeri was a moving spirit in the 1979 revolution which created Iran's Islamic state, and was at one stage set to become its leader.
He was a moving spirit in the 1979 revolution which created Iran's Islamic state. He was also a leading critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. One of Shia Islam's most respected figures, he was also a leading critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
One of Shia Islam's most respected figures, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri issued a fatwa condemning President Ahmadinejad's government after June's disputed election. Grand Ayatollah Montazeri issued a fatwa condemning President Ahmadinejad's government after June's disputed election.
'Dictatorship'
But that was not his first clash with authority.But that was not his first clash with authority.
In 1997 he famously clashed with Iran's ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after questioning the powers of the Supreme Leader. He had repeatedly accused the country's rulers of imposing dictatorship in the name of Islam.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri had been designated to succeed the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, but the pair fell out a few months before he died of cancer in 1989.
In 1997 he famously clashed with Ayatollah Khomeini's successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after questioning the powers of the Supreme Leader.
This led to the closure of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's religious school, an attack on his office in Qom and a period of house arrest.This led to the closure of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri's religious school, an attack on his office in Qom and a period of house arrest.
What are your memories of Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri?What are your memories of Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Ali Montazeri?
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