Iran election trials begin
Trials of those accused of violence at Iranian elections begin
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By Adam Leveridge
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Saturday, 01, Aug 2009 04:20
The first trials of people accused of post-election violence in Iran have begun today.
The elections in Iran in June were marred by street clashes, when several arrests were made - including several high-ranking opposition personalities.
And accusations of vote rigging were also levied, although these have been rubbished by officials.
Local reports suggest that a number of charges have been made against the defendants, including acting against national security, rioting, vandalism and conspiring against the ruling system.
Some of the key defendants include 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.