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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iran 'releases 140 demonstrators' | Iran 'releases 140 demonstrators' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| About 140 Iranians detained during protests against last month's disputed election result have been released from Evin prison, officials say. | About 140 Iranians detained during protests against last month's disputed election result have been released from Evin prison, officials say. |
| About 200 others, accused of more serious crimes, remain in the prison. | About 200 others, accused of more serious crimes, remain in the prison. |
| The release comes after Iran's supreme leader ordered the closure of another detention centre because it failed to "preserve the rights of detainees". | The release comes after Iran's supreme leader ordered the closure of another detention centre because it failed to "preserve the rights of detainees". |
| The unusual moves show how much pressure Iran's leaders are under over detainees, correspondents say. | The unusual moves show how much pressure Iran's leaders are under over detainees, correspondents say. |
| Officials also announced on Tuesday that 30 people were killed in clashes between opposition supporters and police - up from a previously stated figure of about 20. | Officials also announced on Tuesday that 30 people were killed in clashes between opposition supporters and police - up from a previously stated figure of about 20. |
| Speaking of the prison releases, National Security and Foreign Policy Committee member Kazem Jalali, quoted by Iranian news agencies, said: "Those who were released had committed lighter offences." | Speaking of the prison releases, National Security and Foreign Policy Committee member Kazem Jalali, quoted by Iranian news agencies, said: "Those who were released had committed lighter offences." |
| No well-known political figure was among the people released on Tuesday, he said. | No well-known political figure was among the people released on Tuesday, he said. |
| The committee is investigating the detentions. The leader of the judiciary has ordered a review of all cases of those held in prison since the election. | The committee is investigating the detentions. The leader of the judiciary has ordered a review of all cases of those held in prison since the election. |
| 'Agents of unrest' | 'Agents of unrest' |
| Mr Jalali, quoted by Fars, said 150 people who remain in prison were suspected of carrying weapons and bombs, and vandalising public property during the unrest. | Mr Jalali, quoted by Fars, said 150 people who remain in prison were suspected of carrying weapons and bombs, and vandalising public property during the unrest. |
| A further 50 prisoners were described by judicial officials as the "agents of the unrest and some of them were members of anti-revolutionary groups," he told Fars. | A further 50 prisoners were described by judicial officials as the "agents of the unrest and some of them were members of anti-revolutionary groups," he told Fars. |
| These 200 cases were still being investigated. | These 200 cases were still being investigated. |
| Supporters of the protesters say the true number of people detained is much higher, possibly into the thousands. | Supporters of the protesters say the true number of people detained is much higher, possibly into the thousands. |
| Memorial rally rejected | Memorial rally rejected |
| They have also cast doubt on the number of people killed, believing it to be closer to 100. | They have also cast doubt on the number of people killed, believing it to be closer to 100. |
| Mir Hossein Mousavi wanted his supporters to gather for a memorial | |
| Opposition candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi had requested permission to hold a memorial rally for the dead on Thursday, but they were refused by the interior ministry, Fars news agency reported. | Opposition candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi had requested permission to hold a memorial rally for the dead on Thursday, but they were refused by the interior ministry, Fars news agency reported. |
| The prisoner releases from Evin came after a visit to the notorious prison by the committee, Mr Jalali said. | The prisoner releases from Evin came after a visit to the notorious prison by the committee, Mr Jalali said. |
| Meanwhile, another detention centre - Kahrizak - was ordered to be closed "because it lacked necessary conditions to preserve rights of detainees," Mr Jalali was quoted as saying earlier by the semi-official Mehr news agency. | Meanwhile, another detention centre - Kahrizak - was ordered to be closed "because it lacked necessary conditions to preserve rights of detainees," Mr Jalali was quoted as saying earlier by the semi-official Mehr news agency. |
| It is not clear whether the detainees at the Kahrizak centre were released or transferred elsewhere. | It is not clear whether the detainees at the Kahrizak centre were released or transferred elsewhere. |
| In recent days the opposition has reported almost every day new deaths of protestors held in prison. | In recent days the opposition has reported almost every day new deaths of protestors held in prison. |
| Iran's prisons are notorious for their poor conditions, correspondents report. | Iran's prisons are notorious for their poor conditions, correspondents report. |
| Former political prisoners, such as journalists and bloggers, have complained of human rights abuses such as solitary confinement, harsh interrogation tactics and even torture at Evin. | Former political prisoners, such as journalists and bloggers, have complained of human rights abuses such as solitary confinement, harsh interrogation tactics and even torture at Evin. |