Iran poll protests trial begins

tauringhuang.

The first trial of people allegedly involved in post-election violence in Iran has begun, Iranian media said.

The defendants included leading members of the opposition movement, including a former vice-president.

The state news agency said the charges included rioting, vandalism and "acting against national security".

Media reports said dozens of people had gone on trial. Authorities arrested hundreds in the aftermath of the disputed 12 June presidential election.

News agency Irna said other charges included "having ties with counter-revolutionary groups."

tauringhuang.

Some of those on trial had been photographed "committing the crimes," and their accomplices were "on the run," Irna reported, without specifying the number of people on trial.

The defendants included supporters of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and aides of former reformist president Mohammad Khatami.

Fars news agency, which said 100 defendants were on trial, reported that former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former deputy foreign minister Mohsen Aminzadeh, former government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh, former senior lawmaker Mohsen Mirdamadi and former Industry Minister Behzad Nabavi were on trial.

The protests were the largest mass demonstrations seen in Iran since the 1979 revolution which brought the current Islamic regime to power.

In the days of violence following the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad at least 30 people were killed.

About 140 people arrested at the time were released from prison on Tuesday, with a further 200 accused of more serious crimes remaining in prison.

Opposition groups believe the number of prisoners and those killed in the violence to be higher.

Mr Ahmadinejad is due to be officially sworn in on 3 August.

Clashes have continued since his election, most recently during mourning to mark 40 days since the death of Neda Agha Soltan who was shot as she watched protests on 20 June.

State TV said police used teargas to disperse crowds from around her grave on Thursday.