Iran 'to release 140 protesters'

**About 140 Iranian prisoners detained during protests against last month’s disputed election are to be released, officials say.**The release comes after Iran’s supreme leader ordered the closure of a detention centre because it failed to “preserve the rights of detainees”.

The 140-odd prisoners had committed minor offences, an official was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.

About 150 other people accused of serious crimes would remain in prison.