An Iranian conservative cleric, Ayatollah Haeri Shirazi, has said on state television that instead of jailing opposition protesters, it would be better to kill them.
Here is the link to the video of parts of his controversial comments, aired by Iran's state television.
Discussing the protest movement, Shirazi said: “The more of them are killed, the more it is in the benefit of the people. If the police forces kill some of them, it is to our benefit."
"When they are detained, it is bad; when they are arrested, it is bad. Do not make victims out of your enemies,” the cleric added.
He also warned about challenging Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, and chanting slogans against him and his rule.
He said the supreme leader is not a person with a soft turban on his head that can be beaten.
“His support comes from Imam Mahdi [the Hidden Imam]” who is made of iron, he said, adding that those who dare to challenge him will break their heads.
-- Golnaz Esfandiari