Fallahian "arrested" and accused of plotting
murders, coup
Former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian has been arrested on charges
of plotting political murders and organizing a coup against President Khatami,
according to a flier distributed in Tehran and published by an opposition
group in Europe. (See
Persian text)
Signed by unnamed pro-Khatami clerics ("Basij-e Rohaniyoon-e Tarafdaar-e
Dovom-e Khordaad"), the flier claims that Fallahian is currently under
detention at Evin prison and is being interrogated by security agents.
Fallahian was under surveillance when a number of his former colleagues
at the Intelligence Ministry were arrested on charges of involvement in
the murder of dissident politicians and writers last fall. But he was able
to regroup his "terror machine" to carry out more murders and
plots, the flier states.
One of the alleged plots was a coup attempt against Khatami's government
and supporters, especially liberal journalists. The supposed coup was planned
for Tasooa and Ashura religious holidays on April 26 and 27, with the support
of Islamic Revolutionary Guards and religious extremists.
But with Fallahian's arrest, Khatami has neutralized one of the key
ring leaders and warned others that they could be next, the flier states.
The flier was quoted in the special issue of Rah-e Toodeh (Path of the
Masses), an opposition newsletter in Europe. See
Persian text
Links