Iran says 5 indicted rioters are terrorists

"The five accused whose files have been sent to the Revolution Court under the charge of 'moharebeh' (being an enemy of God) are members of the MKO terrorist group," the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi as saying.

He said the indictments had been based on police reports, investigations and the explicit testimonies of the defendants.

The Tehran prosecutor said that the five had also been charged with organizing public unrest on the holy day of Ashura.

According to Jafari-Dolatabadi, those who commit offenses such as setting public property on fire are considered criminals who deserve the harshest of penalties.

The Tehran prosecutor's office said in a Thursday statement that the cases of the suspects would be heard in the presence of their lawyers and a representative of the prosecutor.

Anti-government protestors staged rallies in Tehran on December 27, using the Ashura ceremonies to chant slogans against top government officials.

Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who vandalized public property and set trashcans aflame, provoking clashes with security forces.

Seven people died during the unrest. Deputy Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said the force had not used violence against protesters, rejecting any involvement in the killings. He said authorities were investigating the deaths.

After the unrest, MKO leader Maryam Rajavi claimed the group's followers in Iran had cooperated with demonstrators and coordinated the protests.

The MKO, blacklisted as a terrorist group in Iran, Iraq, Canada, and the US, has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks against Iranian government officials and civilians over the past 30 years.

/Press TV/