Iran ‘to release 140 post-vote detainees’

At least 140 of those detained in Iran’s post-election protests will be released on Tuesday, a top member of the Parliament has told Press TV.

The Rapporteur of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Kazem Jalali, told Press TV’s correspondent that 140 of the detainees who had minor charges would be released on bail.

Jalali, who heads a special committee tasked with launching a probe into the situation of post-election prisoners in Iran, made the remarks after a visit to Tehran’s Evin prison.

Massive opposition protests followed the June 12 presidential election, in which incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a second term in office with almost two-thirds of votes.

Thousands were detained in the aftermath of the vote, many of whom have since been released. According to Judiciary spokesman Ali-Reza Jamshidi, at least 300 people remain behind bars.

Jalali said only 150 of those arrested remain in custody and that they 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,” Jalali said, adding that some of them had ‘masterminded’ the unrest.

Many of the political figures and journalists who supported opposition candidates in the election are among those still held in custody.