Iran election trial a sham, says ex-president

An influential pro-reform ex-president of Iran has denounced the country's first trial of activists and protesters following the disputed presidential election as a sham.

Mohammad Khatami said he hoped the "show" trial of more than 100 people that started yesterday would not "lead to ignorance of the real crimes" carried out by authorities following the June 12 vote, including alleged abuse and murder of detainees.