Iran - protesters on trial

16 anti-government protesters on trial in Iran

Article published on the 2010-01-30 Latest update 2010-01-30 09:27 TU

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tehran, 27 December 2009
(Photo: AFP)

Sixteen people who were arrested at demonstrations on the Ashura holiday on 27 December have been put on trial in Iran. Five face death sentences, including two which the official news agency says has ties with an outlawed rebel group.

Five defendants are accused of being mohareb, or enemies of God, and corrupt on earth, reported IRNA news agency, both are punishable by death.

According to the news agency, two of those accused of being mohareb have ties with “the hypocrites”, a term used by the regime when referring to the outlawed rebel People’s Mujahedeen.

The other 11, who include an adherent to the Bahai faith, a student activist and someone with “communist leanings who also gave interviews to foreign radios”, according to IRNA, are accused of "gathering and conspiring against security, propaganda against the system and seeking to harm security by inciting unrest and riot".

Eight people were killed and about 1,000 were arrested during the Ashura demonstrations, in which anti-government protesters clashed with security forces.

More than 100 activists have been tried since August, with over 80 people sentenced to prison terms, and 11 receiving death penalties.

Thursday Iran hanged two men convicted of being enemies of god and of plotting to topple the regime.