Tensions in Iran over abuse of protesters

IRAN’s police chief acknowledged yesterday that detained protesters were abused in prison and the country’s top prosecutor said those responsible for the mistreatment should be punished, in unusually pointed criticism of security officials.

But a more hardline tone came from a senior commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, who called for opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and former president Mohammad Khatami to be put on trial. The two have led protesters who charge the June 12 election was rigged in favour of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The difference in tone of the statements could point to some tension at the highest levels of Iran’s power structure between the hardline Revolutionary Guard, an elite military force, and the Islamic leadership which controls the judiciary and may want to send a more moderate message to calm public outrage over prisoner deaths.