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Iran inmates 'tortured to death' Iran inmates 'tortured to death'
(about 2 hours later)
One of Iran's defeated opposition presidential candidates has said some protesters held after July's disputed poll were tortured to death in prison.One of Iran's defeated opposition presidential candidates has said some protesters held after July's disputed poll were tortured to death in prison.
The claim by Mehdi Karroubi comes days after he said a number of prisoners, both male and female, had been raped.The claim by Mehdi Karroubi comes days after he said a number of prisoners, both male and female, had been raped.
Officials deny the rape claims, but admit that abuses have taken place.Officials deny the rape claims, but admit that abuses have taken place.
The BBC's Jon Leyne says the opposition is using the issue to keep up political pressure without directly questioning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's poll victory.The BBC's Jon Leyne says the opposition is using the issue to keep up political pressure without directly questioning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's poll victory.
On Thursday, Mr Karroubi alleged that a number of detainees had been tortured to death.On Thursday, Mr Karroubi alleged that a number of detainees had been tortured to death.
"Some young people are beaten to death just for chanting slogans in [post-election] protests," his website said."Some young people are beaten to death just for chanting slogans in [post-election] protests," his website said.
Mr Karroubi also called for the formation of an independent committee to review his evidence in "a calm atmosphere".Mr Karroubi also called for the formation of an independent committee to review his evidence in "a calm atmosphere".
On Sunday, the defeated presidential candidate claimed that some opposition protesters were raped in detention.On Sunday, the defeated presidential candidate claimed that some opposition protesters were raped in detention.
The claim was supported by a number of human rights groups but quickly dismissed as "totally baseless" by the speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani.The claim was supported by a number of human rights groups but quickly dismissed as "totally baseless" by the speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani.
"Based on parliament's investigations, detainees have not been raped or sexually abused in Iran's Kahrizak and Evin prisons," said."Based on parliament's investigations, detainees have not been raped or sexually abused in Iran's Kahrizak and Evin prisons," said.
Mass protestsMass protests
The condition under which detained protesters have been held has been controversial, with damaging claims forcing authorities to act.The condition under which detained protesters have been held has been controversial, with damaging claims forcing authorities to act.
The government has come under pressure over its handling of protests class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8200719.stm">Will Iran's Basij stay loyal?
The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, closed the notorious Kahrizak detention centre saying it had failed to "preserve the detainees' rights".The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, closed the notorious Kahrizak detention centre saying it had failed to "preserve the detainees' rights".
Police officials have admitted that some of those held since June might have been tortured.Police officials have admitted that some of those held since June might have been tortured.
Both the Iranian parliament and judiciary have established committees to investigate the post-election unrest and the government's response.Both the Iranian parliament and judiciary have established committees to investigate the post-election unrest and the government's response.
The BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the issue of prison abuse is both a real concern in itself and has also become a way of criticising the government of President Ahmadinejad without directly challenging the legitimacy of his re-election.The BBC's Tehran correspondent Jon Leyne says the issue of prison abuse is both a real concern in itself and has also become a way of criticising the government of President Ahmadinejad without directly challenging the legitimacy of his re-election.
On Tuesday, Iran's authorities said 4,000 people had been detained during the mass protests that broke out in the wake of the 12 June presidential poll, which the opposition says was rigged.On Tuesday, Iran's authorities said 4,000 people had been detained during the mass protests that broke out in the wake of the 12 June presidential poll, which the opposition says was rigged.
The number was much higher than previous figures, although the authorities said 3,700 of them had been released within a few days of arrest.The number was much higher than previous figures, although the authorities said 3,700 of them had been released within a few days of arrest.
Opposition leaders say 69 protesters died in the post-election violence - more than double the official figure of about 30 fatalities.Opposition leaders say 69 protesters died in the post-election violence - more than double the official figure of about 30 fatalities.
Trials criticisedTrials criticised
Iran is currently trying more than 100 detainees over their alleged involvement in the protests.Iran is currently trying more than 100 detainees over their alleged involvement in the protests.
The trials - of leading opposition figures, activists, journalists, lawyers, workers at foreign embassies and two people with foreign nationalities - have been criticised by several foreign powers, opposition groups and human rights campaigners.The trials - of leading opposition figures, activists, journalists, lawyers, workers at foreign embassies and two people with foreign nationalities - have been criticised by several foreign powers, opposition groups and human rights campaigners.
But authorities insist their legal proceedings are completely legitimate and conform to international standards of justice.But authorities insist their legal proceedings are completely legitimate and conform to international standards of justice.
Official election results awarded incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a sweeping victory in the polls.Official election results awarded incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a sweeping victory in the polls.
He is in the process of selecting a cabinet, which will be submitted to parliamentary approval next week.He is in the process of selecting a cabinet, which will be submitted to parliamentary approval next week.
Foreign media, including the BBC, have been restricted in their coverage of Iran in the wake of the election protests.Foreign media, including the BBC, have been restricted in their coverage of Iran in the wake of the election protests.
Are you in Iran? What is your reaction to these allegations? What about the broader treatment of detained protestors? You can send us your views using the form below:Are you in Iran? What is your reaction to these allegations? What about the broader treatment of detained protestors? You can send us your views 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