Iran - opposition on trial

Ten more protesters face court, President's aide resigns

Article published on the 2009-08-02 Latest update 2009-08-02 14:18 TU

Mohammad Atrianfar (L), dressed in prison uniform, speaks at the trial
Photo: Reuters)

Ten more activists who supported the violent protests that followed Iran's June election have been put on trial, according to the Isna news agency. Former President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday claimed the trial is unconstitutional.

"This morning, ten other defendants were put on trial in a revolutionary court in a closed session," the report quoted a judiciary official as saying. "These people are among those arrested in the incidents after the election."

The trial of 100 opposition supporters is already underway.

Mir Hossein Mousavi, whose supporters claim was the real victor in the election, on Sunday claimed that the defendants were put through "medieval-era torture".

Former President Mohammad Khatami, a key Mousavi ally, dubbed the trial a "harmful show".

"What was done yesterday is against the constitution, regular laws and rights of the citizens," Khatami's office quoted him as telling a group of political activists and lawmakers.

He said the court had relied on "confessions taken under certain circumstances which are not valid" and that "the lawyers and the defendants were not informed of the contents of the cases ahead of the trial".

A group of MPs have filed a complaint against Mousavi, alleging that he was behind the violence during the protests.

"Those who issued statements and directed recent riots should be accountable for the bloodshed and go on trial," said Mohammad Taghi Rahbar, a hardline member of parliament's judicial commission. He said that the complaint had been made a few weeks ago.

Also on Sunday a press adviser to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has quit his job to give the President a freer hand in appointing a  new cabinet.