DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Seeking to defuse one of the most explosive issues facing the Iranian government, Iranian officials said Tuesday that they would release 140 of the hundreds of people detained in the broad government crackdown that followed the nation’s disputed presidential election.
The release of the detainees, which was due to happen later Tuesday night, was reported by Iran’s semiofficial Press TV, quoting the rapporteur of a Parliamentary commission charged with investigating the detainee situation.
The rapporteur, Kazem Jalali, told Press TV that 140 of the detainees held minor charges would be released on bail. The remaining detainees, Mr. Jalali told the satellite channel, would be subjected to court action, as they have serious charges such as the possession of firearms and damaging public property.
“Some political figures, members of anti-revolutionary groups and some foreigners involved in recent riots are among those in custody,” Mr. Jalali said, adding that some of them had ‘masterminded’ the unrest.
Mr. Jalali made the remarks after a visit to Tehran’s Evin prison, the notorious jail where politi… >>>
