Iran murder trial nears end

The trial in Iran of eighteen people accused of involvement in the murder of dissidents and intellectuals is drawing to a conclusion, with sixteen admitting their guilt.

The last three defendants pleaded guilty today Sunday when they appeared behind closed doors at the military court in Tehran, where the trial has entered its third week.

All eighteen have appeared in small groups -- only two have denied any involvement in the deaths, which included that of the nationalist opposition leader, Dariush Foruhar, and his wife, Parvaneh, in 1998.

Two of the defendants are former senior officials at the Iranian intelligence ministry.

The BBC Tehran correspondent says little has emerged from the trial, which is being boycotted by the victims' relatives.

They allege that a cover-up is taking place to protect those responsible for the murders.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service