Amnesty condemns Iranian 'abuses'

London, 10 Dec-(ANA)-Human rights in Iran are as poor as at any time over the past 20 years, according to a report from campaign group Amnesty International.

The report details "patterns of abuse" by the regime before and after disputed presidential elections in June.

One man quoted in the report said he had been beaten and burned with cigarettes. Another said he was threatened with rape.

Iran has dismissed previous criticism of its human rights record.

Officials have said such criticism is politically motivated.

Thousands of people were arrested and dozens killed in Iran after the disputed election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad led to the largest street protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (ANA)

FA/ANA/10 December 2009---