Khomeini grandson off ballot in Iran

tehran - A grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1902-1989), may not participate in the parliamentary elections. The 43-year-old Hassan Khomeini was the first descendant of the famous ayatollah who wanted to participate in elections.

Participating in the elections is possible only if a conservative regulator, the Council of Guardians, you allowed it. The board did not want to participate reformist Khomeini. His appeal against that decision was dismissed Wednesday.

With the ultra-conservative clergy Ayatollah Khomeini took power in Iran. The regime prevents changes including by regulators such as the Guardian Council, which has disqualified thousands of candidates.

Iran chooses February 26 unless a new parliament of 290 seats is also the Assembly of Experts. This is a council of 88 Muslim experts who choose the spiritual leader and oversee his performance. The spiritual leader, currently the ultraconservative Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is actually above the head of state. That's reformist President Hassan Rouhani.