Iran resumes mass trial of activists, protesters

Iran's state media say dozens of opposition activists and protesters are in a Tehran court on charges of rioting and plotting to topple the ruling Islamic system following the disputed presidential election.

This is the second day of an extraordinary mass trial that started a week ago.

The trial underlines the government's efforts to bring an end to anti-government demonstrations that have persisted since the June 12 election.

State TV says the defendants include prominent pro-reform politicians as well a 23-year old French academic arrested in July.

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians marched in days of street protests after the election, denouncing official results that declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner.