Ali Abtahi, former Vice President for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of Iran who served from August 2, 1997 to August 3, 2005, has been sentenced for 6 years in jail in the mass trial of opposition figures for his role in post-election violence to overthrow the government.
Abtaji’s lawyer Saleh Nikbakht said that he planned to appeal against the decision. He was given twenty days to submit his appeal and for now, he was released after paying 7 billion rials bail ($700,000).
Iran’s arm forces have warned the opposition not to take part in any demonstrations. This would just heighten tension between police and civilians. The security officers are trying to avoid another mass protests following the June 12, 2009 presidential elections when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad secured second term. The opposition led the massive June 12 street protest that drew hundreds of thousands and supporters clashed with security forces as they claimed that the election is fraud. The said protests are considered as the most serious internal unrest in Iran in the 30 years since the Islamic Revolution.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 2nd Supreme Leader of Iran, who strongly support President Ahmadinejad’s policies and re-election has said it is a crime to question the legitimacy of the June vote.
IMAGE CREDIT: Independent.co.uk / GETTY IMAGES
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