Ahmandinjad set to be sworn in on Wednesday with political turmoil increasing in Iran, Al Jazeera photo
Political maneuvering continues in Iran as 100 put on trial over street protests
Stephen Pate, NJN Network, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, August 2, 2009 with story from BBC News and Al Jazeera
Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, president from 1997 to 2005, has criticized the trials of opposition politicians and dissidents. Tension ratchets up as Iran puts opposition leaders on trial
Katami, quoted on his website, called them “show trials” that would damage Iranians confidence in the government.
Former President Katami denounces "show trial" Al Jazeera photo
“What was done yesterday is against the constitution, regular laws and rights of the citizens,” his office quoted him as saying.
“The most important problem with the trial procedure is that it was not held in an open session. The lawyers and the defendants were not informed of the contents of the cases ahead of the trial.” BBC
Al Jazeera quoted extensively from Katami’s website.
Mohammad Khatami, the former Iranian president, has denounced the trial of about 100 people accused of rioting in the wake of the country’s disputed elections.
Khatami, a key supporter of the country’s opposition movement, on Sunday branded the trial as “unconstitutional”.
His comments came a day after the suspects, including prominent political figures, appeared before the revolutionary court on charges of attacking security forces and destroying property.
“What was done yesterday is against the constitution, regular laws and rights of the citizens,” his office quoted him as telling a group of political activists and lawmakers.
He said the court had relied on “confessions taken under certain circumstances which are not valid”.
“The most important problem with the trial procedure is that it was not held in an open session.”
“The lawyers and the defendants were not informed of the contents of the cases ahead of the trial.”
“The scenes that we saw were a clumsy preparation for the launch of the 10th government,” Mousavi said on his website Ghalamnews. (site is in Farsi not English)
“What are they trying to convince people of … by relying on reports from reporters nobody has heard of and relying on confessions which obviously bore the hallmarks medieval-era torture?
“The torturers’ teeth have reached people’s bones, and now they’re picking [their] victims from among those who have done great services to the country and the Islamic system.”
Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a press adviser to Ahmadinejad resigns
The resignation of Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a press adviser to President Ahmadinejad, is expected to be a step towards a better appointment for the Ahmadinejad loyalist.
“The president is examining necessary changes in the cabinet … ethically I see it my duty to step down to give him a free hand to appoint an efficient person to this post,” Javanfekr said.
“I have not nominated myself for any new posts,” he added. Al Jazeera
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