This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21590166
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iran charges ex-prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi over 'murders' | Iran charges ex-prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi over 'murders' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Iranian prosecutors have accused an ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of being an accessory to the murder of anti-government protesters, a lawyer in the case has said. | |
| Saeed Mortazavi, a former Tehran prosecutor, was also charged with illegally arresting protesters in 2009. | Saeed Mortazavi, a former Tehran prosecutor, was also charged with illegally arresting protesters in 2009. |
| He appeared in closed court on Tuesday. | He appeared in closed court on Tuesday. |
| The opposition says more than 80 of its supporters were killed following the presidential elections - a figure disputed by the government. | The opposition says more than 80 of its supporters were killed following the presidential elections - a figure disputed by the government. |
| Mr Mortazavi was arrested earlier this month and held for two days in Tehran's Evin prison, before he was released, Iranian media said. | Mr Mortazavi was arrested earlier this month and held for two days in Tehran's Evin prison, before he was released, Iranian media said. |
| He was detained shortly after a parliamentary session in which President Ahmadinejad accused Iran's parliamentary speaker, Ali Larijani, and his family of nepotism and corruption - allegations they strongly deny. | He was detained shortly after a parliamentary session in which President Ahmadinejad accused Iran's parliamentary speaker, Ali Larijani, and his family of nepotism and corruption - allegations they strongly deny. |
| Mr Ahmadinejad denounced Mr Mortazavi's arrest as "a very ugly action". | Mr Ahmadinejad denounced Mr Mortazavi's arrest as "a very ugly action". |
| The apparent power struggle between Mr Ahmadinejad and Mr Larijani comes ahead of presidential elections due in June. | The apparent power struggle between Mr Ahmadinejad and Mr Larijani comes ahead of presidential elections due in June. |
| Mr Larijani is widely expected to be a candidate to succeed President Ahmadinejad, who cannot stand for another term. | Mr Larijani is widely expected to be a candidate to succeed President Ahmadinejad, who cannot stand for another term. |
| Mr Mortazavi, 45, was chief prosecutor in the capital, Tehran, in 2009 when there were big protests against Mr Ahmadinejad's re-election. | Mr Mortazavi, 45, was chief prosecutor in the capital, Tehran, in 2009 when there were big protests against Mr Ahmadinejad's re-election. |
| In 2010 a parliamentary investigation blamed him for the torture and killing of at least three anti-government protesters. | In 2010 a parliamentary investigation blamed him for the torture and killing of at least three anti-government protesters. |
| The US accused him of "sustained and severe violations of human rights" and imposed sanctions on him. | The US accused him of "sustained and severe violations of human rights" and imposed sanctions on him. |
| He has also played a central role in shutting down opposition newspapers and has previously faced allegations of corruption. | He has also played a central role in shutting down opposition newspapers and has previously faced allegations of corruption. |
| Analysts say his arrest could be the result of disputes between President Ahmadinejad on one hand and parliament and the judiciary on the other. | Analysts say his arrest could be the result of disputes between President Ahmadinejad on one hand and parliament and the judiciary on the other. |