The trial of Mehdi Hashemi was postponed after the defendant filed a motion in the court for a delay.

ISNA reports that the first session of Hashemi’s trial, which was set for today, May 5, convened with Judge Nasser Seraj residing.

The report indicates that Mehdi Hashemi, who attended the session with his lawyer and his two sisters, Faezeh and Fatemeh Hashemi, left the court within an hour, telling reporters that his motion for delay had been granted by the judge.

He told reporters: “Since the National Broadcaster’s Seda va Sima aired lies about me, I will not talk to reporters.” He added that the judiciary will release all information about the case.

Mehdi Hashemi, the son of moderate cleric Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, who is also head of the Expediency Council, returned to Iran last September after three years of absence and, after reporting to the court, was released on bail.

Among the charges he is facing is fomenting unrest following the 2009 elections.

Radio Zamaneh