Iranian judiciary sentences more dissidents to death

TEHRAN - The Iranian judiciary has issued death sentences against five more dissidents, state media reported.

The judiciary announced in a statement that death sentences had been issued against five and prison terms from six months to 15 years against 81 dissidents arrested following the disputed presidential election June 12.

The five on death row are charged with being linked to the Iranian opposition, according to the state media Tuesday.

The statement said that the verdicts could be appealed.

Iran’s judiciary last month issued death sentences against three dissidents, two of whom belonged to a pro-monarchy group and the third was linked to the Iranian rebel group People’s Mujaheddin.

The verdicts from last month were not final, and lawyers for the three condemned could still appeal.

Following mass protests against alleged fraud that led to the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, more than 4,000 demonstrators, dissidents and reformist former officials were arrested.

More than 100 are still jailed and charged with planning to topple the Islamic establishment.