June 21, 2006 -- Leading Iranian women's rights activists Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani and Parvin Ardalan have been charged with acting "against national security" by calling for an "illegal" gathering to promote equal rights and publishing related statements, according to Iranian news reports.

Baton-wielding female police officers helped to break up the June 12 gathering
(photo by Arash Ashoorinia, Kosoof.com

The charges stem from a June 12 women's rights gathering in Tehran that was forcefully dispersed by police forces, including baton-wielding female officers.

Ahmadi Khorasani and Ardalan have reportedly been freed on their own recognizance.

Also today in Iran, the lawyer of detained former reformist legislator Ali Akbar Moussavi Khoeini, who was arrested during the protest, said he has not been allowed to meet with his client and neither has he been informed of charges against him.

Iran's main reformist party has called for Moussavi Khoeini's release.