In yet another controversial move, a high ranking cleric in Iran has announced that, several British embassy officials who were detained during the post election violence, will now stand trial and may also be prosecuted on the charges of inciting protests and public unrest.

Cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, who is a highly influential figure in Iranian politics and is also the head of the Revolutionary Guards said that, the detained employees have confessed to causing unrest and inciting protests on the behest of the western governments. Such a move could further downgrade the already tensed relations between Iran and the rest of the world, especially the United States and the European Union.

The British Foreign Office in London was quick to react to this development and stated that, immediate and urgent clarification will be asked from the Iranian authorities concerning the statement made by the cleric. It would also be clarified, as to whether or not this statement reflects Iran’s official policy,

According to Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

“We are confident that our staff have not engaged in any improper or illegal behavior. We remain deeply concerned about the two members of our staff who remain in detention in Iran.”

Mr. Miliband stated that he would be taking up this issue with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki on a priority basis.

During the civil unrest. Iran had retained nine British embassy employees, out of which five were released on Monday, after intense pressure from Britain and Europe. However, according to British authorities, there are still embassy employees currently in custody in Iran. Of all the nine detainees, none of them are British nationals. They are Iranian nationals working in British embassy, therefore not eligible for diplomatic immunity.

These employees are accused of inciting negative public sentiments, that led to thousands of Iran’s citizens marching and protesting against the alleged botched Presidential election held on June 12th 2009.

Via New York Times.