2 Aug 2009

Post-election trial begins in Iran

5:43 am on 2 August 2009

The first trial of 100 people accused of involvement in post-election protests in Iran has begun.

State media report that charges have been brought against 100 people.

The charges include rioting, vandalism, "acting against national security" and conspiring against the ruling system.

The BBC reports the first court session was held on Saturday and it iwas not clear when the next will be held.

The defendants include leading members of the opposition movement, including a former vice-president.

However, some have told the court that their earlier claims of fraud during the presidential poll on 12 June were baseless.

Accusations of vote-rigging were made by defeated candidates and their supporters as soon as it became clear president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had been re-elected with a massive margin.

The official count gave him 63% of the vote.