World | Iran Iran Sentences 5 to Death for Election Protests Brings total condemned in turmoil to eight By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Nov 17, 2009 1:15 PM CST Copied This photo from Iran's Fars News Agency shows the court room where dozens of opposition activists and protesters are standing trial, in Tehran's Revolutionary Court, Iran, Aug. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Fars News Agency,Hasan Ghaedi) Five people have been sentenced to death over the unrest that followed Iran's disputed June presidential election, according to state television reports. The report quotes a statement by the Justice Department saying the five sentenced were members of terrorist and armed opposition groups. Iran began a mass trial in August for more than 100 prominent opposition figures and activists over the election protests. The accusations against them range from rioting to spying and plotting what authorities have called a "soft revolution" to topple Iran's Islamic rulers. At least three others caught up in the turmoil have received death sentences. Read These Next One wrong step costs teen at Yellowstone. Murdered couple died "protecting their little girls." Japan issued a tsunami advisory after a huge quake near Russia. This Fed decision was unlike any other in decades. Report an error