Iranian hard-liner arrested for criticizing army

Iran’s official IRNA news agency reports that the authorities have arrested a hard-line theorist for criticizing the Iranian army.

The report says that Hassan Abbasi, the head of the Center for Doctrinal Strategic Studies, a think-tank, 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, who calls himself the “Kissinger of Islam,” criticizes the army for inaction, particularly when it comes to social and political issues.

He later appears in a military court, and defends his remarks that drew strong condemnation from the army and the powerful Revolutionary Guards.

Abbasi is known in Iran for his divisive speeches on subjects including economics, history, politics and cinema.

— AP

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