Iranian dissident in court

A leading Iranian opposition figure, Habibullah Peyman, says he's been summoned to appear before a court in the capital, Tehran, on Wednesday.

Mr Peyman told the BBC he'd not been informed of any charges.

He said he believed the summons was part of a wider attempt by conservatives in Iran to silence their critics and to prevent President Khatami fulfilling his promise to protect the rights of the individual.

Human rights groups have expressed concern about the arrest just over a week ago of the leader of Iran's only tolerated opposition group, Ibrahim Yazdi.

No charges against him have been made public.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service