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/uk/8191604.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Miliband concern over Iran trial Miliband concern over Iran trial
(20 minutes later)
Iran's decision to put a senior British embassy worker on trial "brings further discredit on the Iranian regime", Foreign Secretary David Miliband said. Foreign Secretary David Miliband says he is "deeply concerned" over the trial in Iran of a British Embassy worker.
Iranian Hossein Rassam is accused of spying and inciting unrest over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election in June. Iranian Hossein Rassam is accused in Tehran of spying and inciting unrest after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election in June.
Mr Miliband said the embassy's chief political analyst had simply been "going about his legitimate duties". Mr Miliband said the charges against the embassy's chief political analyst were unjustified and the trial "brings further discredit" on Iran's regime.
Mr Rassam is among the accused at a mass trial which began earlier. Mr Rassam was among the accused at a mass trial which began earlier.
Mr Miliband said: "I am deeply concerned by the unjustified charges today laid against Hossein Rassam in Tehran.Mr Miliband said: "I am deeply concerned by the unjustified charges today laid against Hossein Rassam in Tehran.
"Hossein is a member of our embassy staff going about his legitimate duties."Hossein is a member of our embassy staff going about his legitimate duties.
"Iranian action against him, and those against Clotilde Reiss and a member of the staff of the French Embassy in Tehran, only brings further discredit on the Iranian regime.
'Rigged election''Rigged election'
"Our ambassador has raised our concerns today with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, and the FCO Political Director, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, with the Iranian ambassador in London." "Iranian action against him, and those against [French teacher] Clotilde Reiss and a member of the staff of the French Embassy in Tehran, only brings further discredit on the Iranian regime.
Ms Reiss is a French academic and Mr Miliband said European nations were united in their opposition to the trial. "Our ambassador has raised our concerns today with the Iranian deputy foreign minister, and the FCO Political Director, Sir Mark Lyall Grant with the Iranian ambassador in London."
Violent street protests broke out after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected in the 12 June vote. Mr Miliband said European nations were united in their opposition to the trial.
Iran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of stoking the demonstrations. We have reaffirmed our solidarity in the face of this latest Iranian provocation Foreign Secretary David Miliband
He said he was in close contact with members of the EU and had spoken with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, who is the current EU President.
"We have reaffirmed our solidarity in the face of this latest Iranian provocation," said Mr Miliband.
Mr Rassam was one of nine officials arrested in the wake of the protests against the re-election of president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
He was released on bail last month, a move welcomed by the foreign secretary.
Iran has repeatedly accused foreign powers - especially Britain and the US - of stoking up the demonstrations.
Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi says the vote was rigged in favour of Mr Ahmadinejad.Opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi says the vote was rigged in favour of Mr Ahmadinejad.
The president and Iran's main election body, the Council of Guardians, have rejected the charge.The president and Iran's main election body, the Council of Guardians, have rejected the charge.