This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8191061.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Further trials over Iran protests Further trials over Iran protests
(about 1 hour later)
The Iranian authorities have put more people on trial who were arrested over violent protests following the disputed presidential election in June. Two Iranian employees of the British and French embassies in Tehran and a French lecturer are among those on trial in Iran after its disputed poll.
Those appearing in court include a French language teacher and an Iranian who worked for the British embassy. Hundreds were arrested during violent protests sparked following the results of the country's presidential election.
Last week more than 100 people appeared in court in Tehran on charges including conspiracy. Several leading reformers were among the detainees.Last week more than 100 people appeared in court in Tehran on charges including conspiracy. Several leading reformers were among the detainees.
Opposition leaders have dismissed the proceedings as "show trials".Opposition leaders have dismissed the proceedings as "show trials".
"The trial session of the second group of those accused of being involved in post-election unrest started this morning," the semi-official Fars news agency said."The trial session of the second group of those accused of being involved in post-election unrest started this morning," the semi-official Fars news agency said.
'Provoking rioters''Provoking rioters'
Irna news agency said French national Clotilde Reiss "is accused of collecting information and provoking rioters". Irna news agency reported that French national Clotilde Reiss "is accused of collecting information and provoking rioters".
It added that a female Iranian employee of the French embassy, named as Ashfar, was also appearing in the dock. Ms Reiss has been charged with acting against Iran's national security, Reuters news agency cites Irna as saying.
Ms Reiss, 24, was stopped on 1 July as she prepared to leave Tehran, having spent five months as a university teaching assistant.Ms Reiss, 24, was stopped on 1 July as she prepared to leave Tehran, having spent five months as a university teaching assistant.
Hundreds were detained in violent protests that followed June's election Hundreds were detained after violent protests that followed June's election
She was visited in prison by the French ambassador to Iran who said she was in good health. France says the allegations against her are "absolutely baseless". Ms Reiss told the court she regretted taking part in the protests.
"My motive to take part in the gatherings was a personal one. But I accept that it was a mistake and I should not have gone to these gatherings," she told the court, according to AFP.
France says the allegations against her are "absolutely baseless". She was visited in prison by the French ambassador to Iran, who said she was in good health.
A female Iranian employee of the French embassy, named as Ashfar, was also appearing in the dock, Irna reports.
British embassy employee Hossein Rassam was held after the post-election protests with eight other embassy colleagues and later released on bail.British embassy employee Hossein Rassam was held after the post-election protests with eight other embassy colleagues and later released on bail.
In a statement on Saturday, the UK Foreign Office said his trial directly contradicted assurances received from the Iranian authorities. Irna reports that he has been accused of spying and has apologised for taking part in the protests, asking for pardon for his "mistakes".
'So-called confessions'
In London, a spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office said the trial was "completely unacceptable".
"We deplore these trials and the so-called confessions of prisoners who have been denied their basic human rights," she said.
She added that the British ambassador in Tehran had demanded early clarification of the position from the Iranian authorities.
"We will then decide on how to respond to this latest outrage," she said.
Rights groups say that hundreds of people including reformist politicians, journalists, activists and lawyers, have been detained in Iran since the election.Rights groups say that hundreds of people including reformist politicians, journalists, activists and lawyers, have been detained in Iran since the election.
The poll saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad returned to power, but opposition leaders insist the election was rigged.The poll saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad returned to power, but opposition leaders insist the election was rigged.
In last week's trials, some of those in the dock made public confessions, saying they had made up their complaints against the elections to provoke unrest.In last week's trials, some of those in the dock made public confessions, saying they had made up their complaints against the elections to provoke unrest.
'Nothing illegal'
However, Iran's Prosecutor General, Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi, has said that confessions will not be the sole basis for the prosecution of suspects.However, Iran's Prosecutor General, Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi, has said that confessions will not be the sole basis for the prosecution of suspects.
"The judicial system will base its ruling on the suspects' files and the evidence presented at courts," Irna quoted him as saying on Thursday."The judicial system will base its ruling on the suspects' files and the evidence presented at courts," Irna quoted him as saying on Thursday.
He denied that the confessions were extracted using illegal measures.He denied that the confessions were extracted using illegal measures.


Are you in Iran? Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Iran? Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions