Khamenei aide: ‘Leader should not have to abide by law’

During a meeting held among representatives of the leadership in universities, Mojtaba Zolnour stated that in the Islamic system of governance “the legitimacy of the Valiy-e-Faghigh [the Supreme Leader] stems from God” and that “the people do not bestow legitimacy to the leader so that they can just oust him from power whenever they wish to do so.”

Addressing the audience in the holy city of Qom, Zolnour told those present that “the legitimacy of the Valiy-e-Faghih comes from above,” and that it was he who gave legitimacy to the system. He also went on to suggest that it was impossible for the people or the Assembly of Experts whose function according to the constitution is to oversee the Leader’s performance to remove him from power.

“The people prepare the groundwork for the implementation of Guardianship of the Jurist and they do so by voting for the clerics of the Assembly of Experts. The members of the Assembly of Experts do not appoint the Leader, but they discover him and it is not so that they can oust him from power whenever they wish to do so.”

Amazingly Zolnour also added that the Leader “was not confined by the constitution,” and went as far as saying that even the late Imam Khomeini the founder of the Islamic Revolution went beyond the boundaries of the constitution at times.  “It is wrong to say that the Valiy-e-Faghih is constrained by the law.”

Zolnour who has a history of making controversial statements, also stressed on the importance of the Guardians Council in safeguarding the Islamic Republic while arguing that “true democracy” existed in the election of the Assembly of Experts.

Ever since the fraudulent Presidential Election in June and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s hasty approval of the announced vote, many have started to question his legitimacy and his ability to fulfil his role as the Leader of the country.