Iran puts 16 protesters on trial

Tehran: A group of opposition activists went on trial on Saturday in Tehran on charges of rioting and conspiring against the ruling system in connection with protests late last year, Iran's state media reported.

The official Irna news agency and state Press TV said the 16 defendants who appeared in court face various charges, ranging from plotting against the establishment to violating security regulations, linked to anti-government demonstrations on December 27.

That day, at least eight people were killed and hundreds more were arrested during clashes between opposition activists and security forces.

Irna quoted a prosecutor identified only by the last name of Farahani as saying in court that the defendants have confessed to spying, planning bomb attacks and damaging public and private properties.

He also said the defendants sent videos on the clashes between protesters and Iranian police to the "foreign hostile networks," Irna reported.