World

Iranian Opposition Face Coup Charge

by Barbara McPherson | August 26, 2009 at 08:12 am

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In the latest power move by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad government in Iran members of the Iranian opposition face coup charges.

The group includes Mostafa Tajzadeh, a former deputy interior minister; Mohsen Aminzadeh, a former deputy foreign minister; Behzad Nabavi, a former member of parliament; and Saeed Hajjarian, the co-founder of Iran's main reformist party, the Islamic Participation Front.

The latest indictment calls for Hajjarian's party to be dissolved, along with another leading reformist group, the Islamic Revolution Mujahidin organisation.

While some of the defendents have apologized and some have made confessions that they incited the violence that swept Iran after the disputed elections, many outsiders have alleged that apologies and confessions were obtained as a result of mistreatment while in custody.

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albertacowpoke

at 09:24 on August 26th, 2009

This is not a surprise. The question is, what will the penalties be, once convicted? It may provide a way to get rid of the opposition period.

Yuliya Talmazan

at 10:05 on August 26th, 2009

Thanks for this. I wonder what has happened to Moussavi himself ever since the protests ended.

t k kidwai

at 09:28 on August 27th, 2009

Despite the fact that I was supporter of Ahmadinejad,this action of his has disappointed me.Opposition is hallmark of democracy,even limited democracy with theocracy.

Charges of coup against opposition must be proved,and if government headed by Ahmadinejad fails to prove cahrges,the governemnt must resign,Ahamdinejad must quit politics.

I guess Iran is heading towards dictatoship which Iranians were opposed to and overthrew Reza Shah.Ahmadinejad should exercise restraints and let the voice of opposition be heard loud and clear.Democracy is antidote to monarchy.If democracy fails in Iran,some form of dictatorship will re-emerge.