World, Middle East
Ex-Iran president’s funeral turns into political rally
State funeral for former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani turns into pro-reformist demonstration
10.01.2017 - Update : 11.01.2017
TEHRAN
A state funeral held Tuesday for former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani -- who passed away earlier this week -- turned into a demonstration in support of Iran’s reformist movement.
Thousands of funeral attendees chanted slogans in support of reformist leaders Mohammad Khatami, a former president, and Mir-Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister who is currently under house arrest.
The funeral began early Tuesday at Tehran University, where Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, led funeral prayers.
Rafsanjani, who served as president of Iran from 1977 to 1989, passed away Sunday due to a heart attack. He was 82 years old.
*Reporting by Mustafa Melih Ahishali; Writing by Mahmoud Barakat
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