Tehran, 14 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today urged the hard-line Guardians Council to review its decision to bar thousands of candidates from next month's parliamentary elections.
Iran's state television quoted Khamenei as telling Guardians Council members that they "have enough time to review the cases carefully...to prevent the violation of anyone's rights."
The Guardians Council has disqualified some 3,000 parliamentary candidates, including some 80 sitting lawmakers, from running in upcoming elections. President Mohammad Khatami has said the decision violates the country's right to free elections.
Meanwhile, reformist parliamentarians are continuing for the fourth day a sit-in protest in parliament over the council's decision.
The Guardians Council has disqualified some 3,000 parliamentary candidates, including some 80 sitting lawmakers, from running in upcoming elections. President Mohammad Khatami has said the decision violates the country's right to free elections.
Meanwhile, reformist parliamentarians are continuing for the fourth day a sit-in protest in parliament over the council's decision.