Five Iranians to face trial over Ashura riots

January 9, 2010 - 0:0

The Tehran prosecutor's office says it has sent the cases of five people indicted in connection with the recent riots to the Revolution Court.

The office said in a Thursday statement that the indictments had been based on police reports, investigations, and the explicit testimonies of the defendants. The statement did not identify the suspects or the date of their trials.
The statement added that the suspects' cases would be heard in the presence of their lawyers and a representative of the prosecutor.
Anti-government protestors staged rallies in Tehran on December 27, taking advantage of the Ashura ceremonies. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who vandalized public property and set trashcans aflame, provoking clashes with security forces.
Seven people died during the unrest. The deputy police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, said the force had not used violence against protesters, rejecting any involvement in the killings, adding that authorities were investigating the deaths.
In response to the Ashura riots, millions of Iranians took to the streets on Wednesday, demanding that rioters will be brought to justice.
Earlier, Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi said those who commit offenses such as vandalizing public property are considered criminals who deserve the harshest penalties.
(Source: Press TV)