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After Iran's Judiciary promised to "quickly and firmly" follow up on the recent unrest that erupted in the country during the Ashura mourning ceremony, a cleric on Friday gave more details about the events.
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"Eyewitnesses said a person chanted slogans in favor of one of the defeated presidential candidates and threw Molotov cocktails," said Hojjatoleslam Kazem Seddiqi during the Friday prayers in Tehran, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
"After his arrest, he admitted that he had received 200,000 toman [200 USD] to carry out moves against the Islamic establishment," said Seddiqi, adding that every slogan chanted would grant him an extra 50 dollars.
The cleric quoted another witness as saying a drunk man had also been arrested on the Ashura day.
On December 27, anti-government protesters took to the streets. During the demonstration, public property was damaged and security forces clashed with the protesters. Seven people were killed in the unrest.
Deputy Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said the force had not used violence against protesters, adding that the deaths were being investigated by authorities.
In response to the Ashura riots, millions of Iranians took to the streets on the following Wednesday, denouncing the sacrilege of Ashura and demanding that rioters be brought to justice.
Iran blames Western countries, who were quick to condemn what they called the violence in the unrest, of masterminding and supporting the riots that erupted after the June 12, 2009, presidential election.
Seddiqi warned the Judiciary and police that the country would lose patience should rioters continue violating the law.
"I am concerned the Iranian people will lose their patience when legal channels do not offer a proper solution in due time," he said.
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