Mohammad-Taghi Khalji, Cleric and Close Associate of Ayatullah Montazeri, Detained

BBC

Mohammad-Taghi Khalji, a cleric close to the late Ayatullah Montazeri and Ayatullah Sanei, was detained in his residence, located in the city of Qum, on Tuesday, January 12.

Mr. Khalji’s son, identified as Mehdi Khalji, who is a resident of the United Sates, stated that authorities confiscated his father’s computer, CDs, and selected documents, such as his father’s and other family members passports, and that the family members have been told they are not allowed to travel outside of Iran.

On the evening of Tasua, Mr. Mohammad-Taghi delivered a speech in the residence of Ayatullah Sanei, and in recent months he has also delivered speeches in Dar-Ul-Zahra Mosque (under the guardianship of Ali-Akbar Mohtashemipour), which is generally used as a gathering place by reform-minded colleagues.

Mehdi Khalji, in discussing the condition of his father’s arrest, said: “Last Tuesday afternoon, four individuals who identified themselves as Ministry of Intelligence agents appeared at my father’s residence, closed the door behind themselves and disconnected the telephone service. They (the agents) searched the house thoroughly. They even searched the beds and inside of the kitchen cabinets.”

Mehdi Khalji continued, saying that the agents escorted his father out after confiscating some of his documents.