The first trials of opposition political activists and protesters arrested after June's disputed Iranian presidential election began today. Up to 100 defendants were reported by Iranian media to be appearing before a court in the capital, Tehran, accused of violence following the 12 June vote.The election sparked days of protests as thousands of Iranians took to the streets to denounce the official results, which declared victory for the incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The official IRNA news agency said the defendants were charged with rioting, attacking military and government buildings, having links with armed opposition groups and conspiring against the ruling system.Under the country's Islamic law, acting against national security - a common charge against dissidents - could be punishable by a long sentence or even the death penalty.
The first trials of opposition political activists and protesters arrested after June's disputed Iranian presidential election began today.
Up to 100 defendants were reported by Iranian media to be appearing before a court in the capital, Tehran, accused of violence following the 12 June vote.
The election sparked days of protests as thousands of Iranians took to the streets to denounce the official results, which declared victory for the incumbent president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The official IRNA news agency said the defendants were charged with rioting, attacking military and government buildings, having links with armed opposition groups and conspiring against the ruling system.
Under the country's Islamic law, acting against national security - a common charge against dissidents - could be punishable by a long sentence or even the death penalty.
The trial has begun in Iran of 100 people arrested for their alleged involvement in post-election violence.The charges included rioting, vandalism, "acting against national security", and conspiring against the ruling system, state media reported. Those on trial included members of the opposition reform movement, including a former vice-president. Pro-government media reported what they say were confessions by some of the leading reformists. But the leading reformist party Mosharekat described the proceedings as a laughable show trial and said the confessions had been forced.
The trial has begun in Iran of 100 people arrested for their alleged involvement in post-election violence.
The charges included rioting, vandalism, "acting against national security", and conspiring against the ruling system, state media reported.
Those on trial included members of the opposition reform movement, including a former vice-president.
Pro-government media reported what they say were confessions by some of the leading reformists.
But the leading reformist party Mosharekat described the proceedings as a laughable show trial and said the confessions had been forced.
