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Head Of Tehran Think Tank Arrested For Criticizing Iran's Army


Iranian authorities have arrested a hard-line theorist who heads a think tank in Tehran after he criticized the Iranian Army.

Iran's official IRNA news agency reported on August 3 that Hassan Abbasi, head of the Center for Doctrinal Strategic Studies, was arrested on charges of "spreading lies" and "creating an atmosphere of skepticism about the armed forces."

In a video published on social media networks in Iran, Abbasi, criticized the army for inaction -- particularly on social and political issues.

He later appeared before a military court, and defended his remarks -- which drew strong condemnation from the army and Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

Abbasi -- who calls himself the "Kissinger of Islam” -- is known in Iran for his divisive speeches on subjects including economics, history, politics, and cinema.

Based on reporting by IRNA and AP

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