Iran Hardliner Calls Mousavi a US Puppet, Demands Trial

Mir Hossein Mousavi should stand trial for his “terrible crimes,” a hardline newspaper editor wrote today. The editor, who Reuters reports has close ties to Ayatollah Khamenei, accused the opposition candidate of fostering post-election dissent at America’s behest. “An open court, in front of the people's eyes, must deal with the clear betrayal committed by the main elements behind the recent unrest, including Mousavi,” he wrote.

Another hardline paper said 100 parliament members had signed a letter asking the judiciary to bring Mousavi and other leaders of the “post-election riots” to trial. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, said Western leaders were trying desperately to divert attention from their financial crisis. “For instance, they created the swine flu issue, or they have tried to make something else from our election.” (More Mir Hossein Mousavi stories.)