‘Iran may disqualify centrist candidate’

Hasan Rowhani’s run for presidency may be over due to his criticism of nuclear policy, supporters’ chants

10 June 2013, 6:54 am

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Iranian presidential candidate Hasan Rowhani, center, holds up a leaflet showing a key, the symbol of his campaign, during a rally in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 8 (photo credit: AP/Ebrahim Noroozi)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iranian media are reporting that a centrist presidential candidate may be disqualified from the June 14 election.

The report late Sunday by the semi-official Mehr news agency says the country’s electoral watchdog may review Hasan Rowhani’s qualifications. The semi-official Fars news agency has a similar report.

The reasons for the review are reported to be Rowhani’s disclosures of confidential information about the country’s nuclear program, as well as radical chanting by his supporters at his campaign gatherings.

The final decision on Rowhani is expected to be announced on Monday.

Rowhani has criticized Iran’s nuclear policy, saying it has damaged the country’s economy.

His supporters have chanted in support of the release of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has been under house arrest for more than two years.