Former president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been arrested for inciting unrest against the government, reports the daily Mail.

The Iranian regime headed by Ali Khamenei reportedly arrested Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Shiraz city for inciting unrest and more demonstrations following statements he made earlier in Bushehr.

However, the Iran government did not confirm the matter.

The London-based daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi also reported in this regard on Saturday (January 06), citing “reliable sources in Tehran.”

The newspaper reported that Ahmadinejad during a visit to the western city of Bushehr on December 28 said, 'Some of the current leaders live detached from the problems and concerns of the people, and do not know anything about the reality of society.'

It is also claimed he said Iran was suffering 'mismanagement' and that President Hassan Rouhani's government 'believes that they own the land and that the people are an ignorant society'.

According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Ahmadinejad’s comments, which came as anti-government protests over the economy were heating up, led to his arrest.

The newspaper said authorities now seek to impose house arrest on the former president.

Iran’s state TV on Saturday showed pro-government rallies in several cities, starting with Amol, in the northern province of Mazandaram, with hundreds of people waving the Iranian flag and chanting slogans against the US and Israel.

State TV described the rally as a “response to rioters and supporters of the riots.” Other pro-government demonstrations were held in Shahin Dezh, in West Azarbaijan province bordering Turkey; the city of Semnan, in the northern Semnan Province; and Shadegan, in the southern Khouzestan Province near Iraq.

The rallies are meant to be a show of force against anti-government protests that broke out in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city, on December 28, and have since spread to several other cities and towns. The protests were sparked by a hike in food prices amid soaring unemployment. Some demonstrators have called for the government’s overthrow.

At least 21 people have been killed, and hundreds have been arrested. Large pro-government rallies have been held in response, and officials have blamed the anti-government unrest on foreign meddling.

BDST: 2158 HRS, JAN 07, 2018
EHJ