The announcement made during Friday prayers. They are accused of having fomented the anti-government protests and have "confessed" the crime. The Ayatollah accuses London of having organized a "velvet revolution" against Iran.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Iranian government will put on trial officials from the British embassy in Tehran. It was announced by Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the Council of Guardians of the Revolution, during Friday prayer. The religious leader, close to ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a supporter of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, denounced a plot by "enemies" of the nation, who conspired to start a "velvet revolution" against the Islamic Republic.

"In these incidents, their embassy had a presence, some people were arrested," said the religious leader during the prayer. Ayatollah Jannati said that officials "have already confessed and will be put on trial". Finally, he pointed a finger at "enemies" who cannot stand "the joy of the people" and wants to "poison" the climate in the country.

On  June 28th last nine local employees in the British embassy were arrested, accused of having fomented the anti-government revolts. Seven were released, while two others, according to the British Government, are still being detained. The street protests exploded after the presidential elections of June 12th last sanctioned the re-election of conservative candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The nation’s reformist wing and anti-government opposition have accused the ayatollah’s regime of fraud.

London has always denied involvement in the demonstrations, and has officially protested the arrests. The European Union has promised "action" if the two officials are not be released. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called the British government "the most evil" among its enemies.

• Britain
• elections
• iran
• ahmadinejad
• protest
• Khamenei
• fundamentalism
• Islam
• democracy