03/07/2009

UK Embassy Staff 'Face Iran Trial' Over Protests

Some British Embassy staff detained in Tehran by Iranian authorities, will go on trial, the head of Iran's powerful Guardians Council has said.

The British foreign office confirmed it was urgently seeking affirmation from Iran after the head of the country's top legislative body said they would go on trial accused of playing a role in the post-election violence.

Five of the nine employees were reportedly released on Monday and Iranian state media said on Wednesday it had freed three more, but British and EU officials say two remain in custody.

"We are very concerned at these reports and are instigating the recent demonstrations are wholly without foundation.

"We are urgently seeking an explanation."

The statement added: "It remains our top priority to secure release of all British Embassy staff.

"We are continuing intensive discussions with the Iranian authorities and our international partners."

"In these incidents, their embassy had a presence, some people were arrested. Naturally they will be put on trial, they have made confessions," Ahmad Jannati, the head of Iran's powerful Guardians Council, said at Friday prayers, according to news agencies.

He said the detained embassy staff had "made confessions".

Last month, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran has slammed international criticism of the presidential election.

He also criticised Western nations for showing "their enmity against the Islamic Republic system and the most evil of them is the British government".

(JM/BMcC)

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