Iran opposition group on Pakistan border selects new leader after capture of the old 1
By APSunday, February 28, 2010
Iranian opposition group chooses new leader
CAIRO — An insurgent group in southeastern Iran has announced the selection of a new leader after its founder was captured by Iranian forces.
The Jundallah insurgency, which says it’s fighting for equal rights for the Sunni minority in southeast Iran, has named al-Hajj Mohammed Dhahir Baluch as the new leader.
The statement posted on its Web site refers to the “painful event” of former leader Abdulmalik Rigi’s capture on Tuesday, but said the jihad against the Iranian “occupier” would continue, according to a translation issued Sunday by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist sites.
The group has destabilized the border region with Pakistan and killed dozens in recent years, including five senior commanders of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard in October.
