Tehran, Aug 2 (DPA) Iran's pro-reform former president Mohammad Khatami slammed the trial of 100 activists detained during the post-election unrest as a 'stage show', his website reported Sunday.

The first session of trials of about 100 demonstrators, political activists and journalists began Saturday in Tehran. A variety of charges had been filed against defendants.

All stand accused of acting against national security by pushing for a 'Velvet Revolution', a reference to the bloodless revolt that forced the collapse of the Communist regime in then Czechoslovakia in 1989.

'Saturday's trial was a stage show and the confessions are not valid ... such a show would harm the establishment and the public trust,' Khatami was quoted as saying by his website khatami.ir.

Prominent activists and former officials who were in office during Khatami's eight-year presidency - including former vice president Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, former government spokesman Abdollah Ramezanzadeh and former deputy foreign minister Mohsen Aminzadeh - were among the accused appearing in the courtroom.