Khatami slams Iran 'show trials'
Iranian protests invoked widespread anger and frustration
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Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami has dismissed yesterday's trials of protesters as "show trials" and accused the government of harming their status around the world.
The elections in Iran in June were marred by street clashes, when several arrests were made - including several high-ranking opposition personalities.
And Mr Khatami, who was among those making accusations of vote rigging, has hit out at the government and called the hearings "a violation of the constitution".
"The trial on Saturday was a show and the confessions are invalid," he is reported as saying on his personal website.
"Such show trials will directly harm the system and will further damage public trust."
Local reports suggest that a number of charges were made against the defendants, including acting against national security, rioting, vandalism and conspiring against the ruling system.
Some of the key defendants included former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi; the leader of the largest reformist party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front Mohsen Mirdamadip; and former deputy foreign minister Mohsen Aminzadeh.
The controversial elections saw President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad re-elected, which prompted the riots and resulted in the killings of around 30 people.
Hundreds were arrested during the protests, which some commentators are expecting to be repeated when Mr Ahmadinejad is due to be officially sworn in next week.