"The judiciary system should act with more speed in dealing with rioters," said Ayatollah Jannati, as he led Friday prayers in Tehran, state television reported. Jannati heads the powerful Guardians Council.
His comments come during a period of mass protests in Iran. It is believed that the Iranian leadership is ready to carry out a brutal crackdown against demonstrators. Rumours amongst the Iranian opposition movement are that the regime is ready to hand down severe punishments to those arrested during recent protests.
