Iran Arrests Terrorists behind Assassination of Sunni Cleric

Iran announced on Sunday that it has arrested the 6 terrorists who assassinated a well-known Sunni prayers leader in January, including the hitman and the mastermind of the operation.

Speaking to reporters, the Public and Revolution Courts Prosecutor of Zahedan – the provincial capital city of Sistan and Balouchestan in Southeastern Iran – said leads and tips first led to the apprehension of the contractor of the operation.

“Last month, the arrested individuals confessed to their role in carrying out the murder and rebuilt the scene of the terror and explained the operation,” Mohammad Marziyeh told reporters.

He said the terror operation followed months of detailed planning, and added that the terrorists had even recorded a video of their assassination operation.

According to the judiciary official, the group received a total payment of 700 million Tomans (over half a million dollars) for the assassination and each group member had a specific role in the operation.

He said all the 6 have confessed to their crimes, and stated that the Judiciary will most likely try them in an open court.

Molawi Jangi Zehi, the Friday prayers leader of the town of Rask, was assassinated by terrorists on the Chabahar-Sarbaz road in Sistan and Balouchestan Province in January 2012.

The Sunni cleric was an advocate of unity between Shiites and Sunnis.

Last month, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced that it has identified and made several arrests with regard to the case.

The ministry said in a statement that the anti-Iran terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) was involved in planning the attack while deviant elements affiliated with Wahhabi groups carried out the assassination.

It added that certain regional countries, which are backed by the US, UK and Israel, funded the terrorist attack.

The arrests were made after intensive and comprehensive intelligence measures, the statement said, adding that the ministry would firmly deal with any scenario aimed at deceiving public opinion and creating unrest in the country.