Jahanbegloo Accused of Fomenting Velvet and Soft Revolution

News.com.au:

The Iranian intelligence ministry accused prominent Iranian intellectual Ramin Jahanbegloo, who is currently imprisoned, of having tried to instigate US-backed opposition in Iran. "Ramin Jahanbegloo is one of the people who was arrested in line with the US effort to instigate velvet and soft revolution in Iran," Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency.

"The United States is following the path to create velvet and soft revolution not only in Iran but in other countries, and Jahanbegloo's efforts were in this line," he added. READ MORE

"The intelligence apparatus suspected his activities and arrested him and currently is completing its investigation," the intelligence minister said.

Iranian Justice Minister Jamal Karimi-Rad last month told reporters that Mr Jahanbegloo was being held in prison for security reason.

"His case is a security-related one, and according to the Iranian judicial laws, only the investigating judge can allow the defendant's lawyer to see and study the case during the investigation process," Mr Karimi-Rad said.

Mr Jahanbegloo, a prominent thinker and writer on democracy and non-violence who has a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris, was arrested early May while trying to leave the country. He also has Canadian citizenship.

Mr Mohseni Ejeie had already said Mr Jahanbegloo was being held on charges of having ties with foreigners, while a hardline newspaper has alleged he has links to the US and Israeli intelligence services.