Amnesty wants observers on Iran trials

VOA News

Human rights group Amnesty International is asking Iran to allow international observers into trials of more than 100 people charged with being involved with protests following the June presidential elections.

Amnesty Secretary-General Irene Khan said in a statement Wednesday it is vital to have an international presence to uphold the rights of the defendants.

She says compelling evidence has been presented by defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, who alleged that some of the protesters were raped in detention by security officials. Iran's parliament speaker denied the claims of detainee abuse.

Meanwhile, Iranian news agencies, PressTV, Fars, say a French national charged with espionage for gathering information about the protests may be freed on bail. However, the agencies say Iranian authorities would require Clotilde Reiss to remain in the country until there is a verdict in her trial.

Iranian authorities arrested Reiss in July on charges of taking pictures of the protests and sending them abroad. She has spent time in Iran's notorious Evin prison.

On Tuesday, Iran released French Embassy employee Nazak Afshar, who was among the defendants involved in one of the trials.

Iranian authorities arrested thousands of demonstrators who say the June 12 reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was fraudulent. The government maintains the election was fair.