**Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has appointed cleric Sadeq Larijani to be the new head of the country’s judiciary.**Mr Larijani is a member of the Guardian Council, the powerful body that oversaw Iran’s disputed presidential election.
He is also the younger brother of the Speaker of parliament, Ali Larijani.
Analysts say his appointment comes at a key time for the Iranian judiciary, which must decide whether to charge people detained over election protests.
Sadeq Larijani, who has been appointed to a five-year term, takes over from Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi.
Iran is currently trying more than 100 detainees over their alleged involvement in the protests.
The trials have been criticised by several foreign powers, opposition groups and human rights campaigners.
But authorities insist their legal proceedings are completely legitimate and conform to international standards of justice.