Iranian dissident released on bail

TEHRAN: Former Iranian lawmaker and prominent reformist Ali-Akbar Mussavi Khoini, arrested during a human rights demonstration in July, has been released on bail, the ISNA agency reported.
 
"He was released last night (Saturday) on a 163,000 dollar bail submitted by his wife," Khoini's lawyer, Mohammad Sharif said, adding that the judiciary's initial bail demand was more than double the amount paid.

Khoini, who was also represented by the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, was jailed on June 12 during a pro-women's rights rally along with 70 other people, most of whom were released shortly afterwards.

Rights organisations and reformist political groups condemned the use of violence to suppress the demonstrators, some of whom were beaten up, and called for release of the detainees, including Khoini.

"I have rejected the unjustifiable allegations against me regarding the time when I was an MP as well as the legal activities I was involved in afterwards. I hope fair judges clear me off the charges," Khoini said after his release.

He also hoped that he could continue his "social, human rights and political activities on a peaceful and civil basis alongside a full-time job" as head of reformist students group Foster Unity Organisation.

Khoini held a Tehran seat in the reformist-controlled parliament of 2000-2004.