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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iranians bail convicted reformist | |
| (about 19 hours later) | |
| A former Iranian vice-president has reportedly been released on bail having been convicted of fomenting unrest after June's disputed elections. | A former Iranian vice-president has reportedly been released on bail having been convicted of fomenting unrest after June's disputed elections. |
| The leading reformist, Mohammed Ali Abtahi, had earlier been sentenced to six years in jail, reports said. | |
| Around 80 people have been jailed and five sentenced to death over the unrest that followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed poll victory. | Around 80 people have been jailed and five sentenced to death over the unrest that followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed poll victory. |
| Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for government restraint. | Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi has called for government restraint. |
| "The government should not intimidate people to change their path," he was quoted as saying on his Kaleme website. | "The government should not intimidate people to change their path," he was quoted as saying on his Kaleme website. |
| Mr Mousavi, who was Mr Ahmadinejad's leading challenger for the presidency, has vowed to continue the struggle against what he says was a fraudulent election. | Mr Mousavi, who was Mr Ahmadinejad's leading challenger for the presidency, has vowed to continue the struggle against what he says was a fraudulent election. |
| "This movement will continue and we are ready to pay any price," he said. | "This movement will continue and we are ready to pay any price," he said. |
| Forced confession? | Forced confession? |
| Mr Abtahi has been temporarily released on bail of 7bn rials ($425,000), Iran's official Irna news agency reported on Sunday. | Mr Abtahi has been temporarily released on bail of 7bn rials ($425,000), Iran's official Irna news agency reported on Sunday. |
| Under Iranian law, people sentenced to more than three months in jail can be released on bail pending appeal. | Under Iranian law, people sentenced to more than three months in jail can be released on bail pending appeal. |
| Mr Abtahi's lawyer said his client - who served as vice-president under former President Mohammad Khatami from 1997-2005 - had 20 days to appeal against the verdict. | Mr Abtahi's lawyer said his client - who served as vice-president under former President Mohammad Khatami from 1997-2005 - had 20 days to appeal against the verdict. |
| The UN has criticised harassment of the opposition since the election | The UN has criticised harassment of the opposition since the election |
| Irna quoted an unnamed court official as saying: "Abtahi was sentenced to six years in prison for acting against national security and propaganda activity." | Irna quoted an unnamed court official as saying: "Abtahi was sentenced to six years in prison for acting against national security and propaganda activity." |
| Mr Abtahi had been in custody since he was detained shortly after the 12 June polls. | Mr Abtahi had been in custody since he was detained shortly after the 12 June polls. |
| In August, Mr Abtahi was quoted by Fars news agency as telling his trial: "The issue of fraud in Iran was a lie and was brought up to create riots." | In August, Mr Abtahi was quoted by Fars news agency as telling his trial: "The issue of fraud in Iran was a lie and was brought up to create riots." |
| Tried alongside a number of other reformist figures, he said the aim of the post-election protests had been to create a "velvet revolution", referring to the overthrow of Communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989. | Tried alongside a number of other reformist figures, he said the aim of the post-election protests had been to create a "velvet revolution", referring to the overthrow of Communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989. |
| Mr Abtahi also appeared on television admitting to provoking riots, but his family said the statements were made under duress. | Mr Abtahi also appeared on television admitting to provoking riots, but his family said the statements were made under duress. |
| Mosharekat, Iran's biggest reformist party and a leading backer of Mr Mousavi, dismissed the proceedings as a "laughable show trial". | Mosharekat, Iran's biggest reformist party and a leading backer of Mr Mousavi, dismissed the proceedings as a "laughable show trial". |
| UN resolution | UN resolution |
| The protests after June's disputed polls were the largest mass demonstrations seen in Iran since the 1979 revolution, which brought the current Islamic regime to power. | The protests after June's disputed polls were the largest mass demonstrations seen in Iran since the 1979 revolution, which brought the current Islamic regime to power. |
| Mir Hossein Mousavi has said opposition protests will continue | Mir Hossein Mousavi has said opposition protests will continue |
| On Friday, a key UN committee voted to approve a non-binding resolution condemning Iran for its post-election crackdown. | On Friday, a key UN committee voted to approve a non-binding resolution condemning Iran for its post-election crackdown. |
| The resolution also repeated annual criticism of Iran's human rights record, including the use of torture and a rising number of executions. | The resolution also repeated annual criticism of Iran's human rights record, including the use of torture and a rising number of executions. |
| It urged Tehran to end persecution of political opponents and release those imprisoned for their political views. | It urged Tehran to end persecution of political opponents and release those imprisoned for their political views. |
| Iran's UN ambassador dismissed the resolution as politically motivated. | Iran's UN ambassador dismissed the resolution as politically motivated. |
| At least 30 protesters have been killed in clashes and thousands arrested since the elections. Some 200 opposition activists remain behind bars. | At least 30 protesters have been killed in clashes and thousands arrested since the elections. Some 200 opposition activists remain behind bars. |
| Foreign media, including the BBC, have been restricted in their coverage of Iran since the election protests turned violent. | Foreign media, including the BBC, have been restricted in their coverage of Iran since the election protests turned violent. |