Trial in Iran

Khatami's Web site said the "show trial" violated the constitution and would damage confidence in Iran's government.

"The trial on Saturday was a show and the confessions are invalid ... What was called a trial was a violation of the constitution," the site said. "Such show trials will directly harm the system and will further damage public trust."

More than 100 people went on trial on Saturday, including several leading reformists, on charges including rioting, vandalism, and conspiracy.

Mass demonstrations, many of which turned violent, were held following the electoral victory of incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in presidential elections held on June 12. Leading moderates say the vote was rigged in favor of the current president. The authorities deny the charge.

At least 20 protesters were killed and more than 1,000 were arrested in the biggest internal crisis to hit Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Most of the people taken into custody have been released, though there are still around 250 in jail.

According to the Fars news agency, at least 100 of those taken into custody were prominent opposition leaders.

A few days ago, Iranian media reported that 20 of the opposition supporters arrested while taking part in some of the earliest demonstrations would be the first to go on trial.

They are charged with "taking part in riots, inciting civil unrest, breaching national security, disturbance of public order and having ties to opposition groups."

Under Iran's Islamic law, acting against national security, a common charge against dissenting voices in Iran, could be punishable by the death penalty.

On Thursday, Iranian police and security forces broke up a demonstration by mourners remembering those killed in the recent clashes and prevented Mir Hussein Moussavi from attending, witnesses said.

They added that police used tear gas to disperse the crowds and that the air in several districts was filled with smoke.

glb/mrm/dpa/Reuters/AP
Editor: Sonia Phalnikar