Iranian
prosecutors on Monday accused the US of fueling the civil unrest that erupted following the disputed reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in
July by distributing "false information" on popular websites.
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"Following the elections, the Internet was used to organize illegal protests and publish false information," said a prosecutor at the trial of six Iranians who were charged with organizing the riots. The fifth trial of people accused of fomenting street unrest after the elections is being held at the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
According to the prosecution, as part of Washington's attempt to create" a media frenzy," activists on behalf of the opposition were urged to join online social networks such as Facebook and websites such as YouTube "to influence Iranians."
The prosecutor was quoted by the semi-official Fars television station as saying, "Since the 1979 revolution our enemies have been trying to wage a psychological war against the Islamic Republic by spreading rumors. During the post-election events the Internet was used to organize illegal rallies and distribute false information.
"The Internet can be used as a new kind of threat," he added, "Social networks such as Facebook drew in more than 200 million people. The US identified this and used them to encourage hostile activity. "
Iran started four mass trials last month of more than 100 people, including senior reformers and former government officials, charged with orchestrating opposition protests after the vote in a bid to undermine the Islamic Republic.
Reuters contributed to the report
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