Charges dismissed by banned newspaper

The brother of the Iranian president, Mohammad Reza Khatami, says he hopes the ban on a newspaper which he edits will be lifted soon.

He was speaking after new charges were laid against it in court on Thursday, which he also rejected.

The newspaper Mosharekat was originally banned after it criticised restraints on one of the main reformist parties, the Islamic Iran Participation Front.

Mr Khatami, who is also the Front's secretary, said members of the press had a right to criticise the government, and his party would take any legal means available to make sure the ban is retracted.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service