Clerics are having to choose whether to align themselves with the conservatives or the reformists – or maintain an awkward silence.

More than three weeks after the elections of 12 June, a troika of senior reformists form the core of the opposition to an outcome they regard as fraudulent.

These are the two main defeated candidates, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi, and their close ally, the former President Mohammed Khatami.

Hard-liners are calling for all three to be put on trial.

A few senior clerical figures – including Ayatollahs Montazeri and Sanei – have aligned themselves with the reformist camp.

On Saturday a group of reformist clerics in the holy city of Qom issued a strong statement questioning the legitimacy of the election.

They even criticised the Council of Guardians, the influential clerical body which had declared the elections free and fair. Its members, said the clerics, “had disproved their impartiality months ahead of the election”.    »»» BBC NEWS

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