Trial against Vandals Rioters begins in Iran

The trial has begun in Iran of 100 people arrested for their alleged involvement in post-election violence. The charges included rioting, vandalism, acting against national security, and conspiring against the ruling system, state media reported. Those on trial included members of the opposition reform movement, including a former vice-president. Some told the court their earlier claims of fraud during the 12 June poll were baseless, official media said. Allegations of vote-rigging were made by defeated candidates and their supporters as soon as it became clear the president had been re-elected by a large margin. Former vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi was quoted by Fars news agency as telling the court: I say to all my friends and all friends who hear us, that the issue of fraud in Iran was a lie and was brought up to create riots.