Ex-Iranian presidents condemn killing of professor as 'terrorism'

TEHRAN -- Two former Iranian presidents on Wednesday condemned a bomb attack that killed a physics professor who had backed the country's opposition leader, calling the remote-controlled blast an act of terrorism that could deepen unrest and violence.

The separate statements by Mohammad Khatami and Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani did not directly accuse any group of detonating the bomb-rigged motorcycle Tuesday that killed the 50-year-old researcher and lecturer, whose work included some aspects of nuclear theory. But each honored Massoud Ali-Mohammadi as a victim of terrorism.

The statements also added to the array of claims and clues following the attack.

On Tuesday, Iranian officials were quick to blame an exiled opposition group they say has ties to the United States and Israel -- accusations that the State Department denied. On Wednesday, Iran's parliamentary speaker, Ali Larijani, repeated the assertion that the United States was linked to the killing.

A hard-line paramilitary militia group, the Basij, also praised Ali-Mohammadi as a martyr.

The professor, however, had few apparent links beyond the academic community. He was not known to have a key role in the opposition movement, although his name appeared on a university petition pledging support for reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi before last June's disputed election. The spokesman for Iran's atomic energy agency said Ali-Mohammadi had no involvement in Iran's nuclear program.

Khatami, a strong Mousavi backer who has denounced the escalating crackdowns on opposition protesters, said the bomb attack was carried out by groups seeking to "further destabilize the crisis." In a statement of condolence to the professor's wife posted on Khatami's Web site, he said the "ugly face of terrorism" was behind the bombing. But he did not make any direct accusations.

"The dirty hand who did this murder with no doubt was the enemy of Iran," wrote Khatami, whose 1997-2005 presidency was marked by efforts to widen Iran's political and social freedoms.

Rafsanjani's statement, carried by the semiofficial ILNA news agency, called the bombing "cowardly terrorism" and a sign of "a new era of intrigue" in Iran.

Rafsanjani, who served as president from 1989 to 1997, has not publicly endorsed the opposition but has waged political battles against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He has been sidelined from the prestigious role as the leader of Friday prayers at Tehran University, although he retains his posts among the ruling clerics.

-- Associated Press