Prosecutor of Iran Protestors Fired

Iran's official news agency is reporting that the country's new judiciary chief has fired the hardline prosecutor involved in the mass trial of opposition figures.

The replacement of Saeed Mortazavi signals a shift toward moderation within Iran's judicial system, which is now under the control of a rival to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Mortazavi was behind the closure of more than 120 newspapers and the imprisonment of dozens of journalists and political activists.

He also led the prosecution of more than 100 opposition activists charged with seeking to topple the ruling system after June's disputed presidential election.

The IRNA news agency said Saturday that the judiciary chief has also ordered an investigation of prisoner abuse.