TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei on Wednesday called for the accurate and speedy trials of the "rioters and terrorists" arrested during the recent unrest in the country.
He made the remarks during a visit to a penitentiary in Tehran to inspect the cases of some of the main suspects detained during the recent events, according to the Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary.
Mohseni-Ejei stressed that those detainees who had attacked security forces and public places using weapons and explosives and perpetrated "acts of terror" must be prioritized for trial and punishment.
He said those affiliated with foreign intelligence services and their ringleaders must also be prioritized for trial and punishment, warning against any delay in prosecuting those who had committed acts of terror and riot.
Protests have erupted since late last month in several Iranian cities over the sharp depreciation of the rial. Authorities said they are prepared to address economic grievances, while warning against violence, vandalism, and unrest.
Initially held peacefully, the protests gradually became violent, leading to casualties and damages on public property, mosques, government buildings and banks over the past few days, for which the Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel. ■
