Tehran Mayor Pleads Not Guilty at Trial

Tehran’s reformist mayor went on trial for corruption, telling a judge that the charges against him are lies. Gholamhossein Karbaschi pleaded not guilty to the charges involving embezzlement, fraud and mismanagement of public funds. His supporters see the case as an attempt by hard-liners to discredit officials allied with moderate President Mohammad Khatami. In entering his plea, Karbaschi, 44, said the allegations “are absolute lies.” If convicted, Karbaschi faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine, and will not be allowed to hold any government post.