Rumor - Sistani in Intensive Care

Definitely treat this as rumor, because, with the Sadr protests yesterday, intra-Shia politics is at its peak, but with such dire implications, it's worth watching. (Iraqslogger)

Meanwhile, unsubstantiated rumors were abound in Najaf that the life of senior Shi’ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani was in danger and that he was transferred in an ambulance to the general hospital of Najaf after he complained from chest pain and lost consciousness twice, according to the Al-Badeel Al-Iraqi and Al-Melaf Net websites. An anonymous Iraqi physician told the Iraq News Agency that Sistani’s bureau is attempting to prevent the news of Sistani’s health deterioration from leaking out to the media for “internal Shi’ite considerations,” adding that Sistani is in intensive care with full medical supervision. Other residents said that the government smuggled the aging cleric out of the city for fear that he would be attacked by Sadrist followers who were rallying in the hundreds of thousands in Najaf, while other senior clerics were placed under close protection.

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