Arrest of Iraqi Shia cleric protested in Iraq's Karbala

By Hamdi Yıldız

KARBALA, Iraq

Protesters took to the streets in southern Iraq’s Karbala province on Tuesday to protest against the detention of Iraqi Shia cleric Hossein Shirazi in Iran.

Tens of people gathered in front of the Iranian consulate in Karbala and demanded the release of Shirazi.

The demonstrators, bearing banners condemning the Tehran government, chanted slogans and said the Iranian intelligence would be held responsible for Shirazi's security and health.

It was argued that Shirazi, who was detained in front of his house on Monday in Qom city of Iran, was taken into custody because of his discourse criticizing Iran’s “Wilayat al-Faqih” system.

Protester Hossein al-Assadi told Anadolu Agency that the detention was “unacceptable”.

He said religion was a red line and Iranian intelligence needs to understand that.

The protesters also called on Iraqi government to “intervene in the situation and free Shirazi”.

Ayatollah Hossein Shiraz, was also arrested in February following a sermon he gave.

Originally an Iraqi national, Shirazi is known for his harsh criticisms of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Tehran government.