Khatami Rally Wins Reprieve From Ban

Iran’s hard-line judiciary has decided to allow a reelection rally by reformist President Mohammad Khatami to go ahead after earlier banning it, a presidential aide said.

Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency said late Saturday that the judiciary had ordered police to stop the event, which is scheduled, as originally, for today in Tehran’s Shiroudi stadium.

The judiciary had said the ban was issued because candidates are not allowed to use state property to campaign. But Khatami’s chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Abtahi, said that the stadium had been rented by Khatami for the rally and another candidate had already used it. The election is scheduled for June 8.