TEHRAN: Iranian Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, a progressive critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, died Saturday. It was being reported that he was suffering from a unknown illness.
Montazeri accused Ahmadinejad's government of dictatorship after his disputed re-election in June. He was thought to be a allied with protesters around Iran.
Montazeri openly criticized the Iranian election system on many occasions and said under these conditions and without genuine and fair competition, elected officials could not respond to the citizens basic needs.
The Ayatollah also criticised the foreign policies of President Ahmadinejad. He said the mistakes committed by the leadership and the arrogance of the Ahmadinejad government brought about an "international cohesion" that led to the sanctions against Iran with increasing consequences for the people.
In spite his religious status in Iran, Montazeri was regarded by the system as a political dissident and as a result Iranian state television has not paid any special attention to his death.
Montazeri, 87, was one of the most prominent clerics in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In the 1980s he was the designated successor to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, until he was sidelined because of political and religious divisions and a falling-out with Khomeini. Ayatollah Khameini eventually became Supreme Leader.
Montazeri was a true friend of the Iranian people. He stood with the youth of the country as they try to effect change. He represented what the true intent of the Islamic Revolution.
