Iran Supreme Leader Endorses Ahmadinejad Election Victory

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (center) has been formally endorsed as the presidential election winner in Iran. Photo by BGNES

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has formally endorsed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as winner of Iran's 12 June presidential election, state TV says.

Khamenei formally backed the incumbent two days ahead of official re-inauguration and amid allegations that election protesters were tortured.

Election challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi accused the authorities of using torture to extract confessions.

About 100 reformists and activists were put on trial in Tehran on Saturday. Both Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami denounced the hearings which continued on Sunday. The charges include conspiracy, rioting and vandalism.

They were among thousands of Iranians who rejected the official declaration that Ahmadinejad had won the election.

It is not clear exactly what opposition demonstrations are planned this week but the real challenge for Ahmadinejad after his swearing-in may be whether he can assemble a credible team of ministers that will be endorsed by parliament, the BBC reported.

 

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