TEHRAN (AFP/Reuters) - Iran hit back on Monday at Western criticism of the mass trials of election protesters, saying it would strongly resist such foreign intervention in its domestic affairs. Western governments have branded the court proceedings show trials. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi described the criticism as illegal and surprising, and said statements by the embassy employees in court smacked of foreign meddling. The comments made by Iranians working here is an example of foreign intervention in Irans domestic affairs. We will strongly stand against any intervention, he said, the official IRNA news agency reported. Ghashghavi denied that the testimony given by Rassam, who has now been charged with spying, was made under pressure. Rassam was already freed before he appeared in court. He was at home. He was under no pressure, Ghashghavi said at his weekly press conference. Rassam, one of nine local British embassy staff initially detained in the aftermath of the election, said he had been instructed to monitor the protests for the British government. Iran does not need to give a reason as to why it took action against their participation (in the protests), Ghashghavi said. There is no reason for the host country to explain whether the participation of diplomats at the protests was conventional or unconventional, legal or illegal. Why dont they leave us and our people alone? Ghashghavi said. This French lady is teaching French at Isfahan Technical University... then she takes part in the Tehran protests, takes photographs and film. What is the connection? This has nothing to do with her French teaching, Ghashghavi said. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Monday again denounced the Tehran show trial, saying confessions were probably elicited under pressure. Meanwhile, Iran accused the West on Monday of meddling in its state affairs for criticising its mass trial of moderates charged with spying and trying to topple the clerical establishment after the disputed president vote. Do we interfere in other countries state matters? Why should they interfere in ours? Iran will strongly resist such meddling, senior official Hassan Qashqavi told a weekly news conference. Why dont they (the West) leave us and our people alone? Meanwhile, an Iranian opposition leader has claimed that women and boys detained over the wave of unrest that swept the nation after the disputed presidential election were savagely raped in custody. The allegations by defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi surfaced as Iran hit back at Western criticism of its mass trials of protesters, including British and French embassy staff. A number of detainees have said that some female detainees have been raped savagely. Young boys held in detention have also been savagely raped, Karroubi said in a letter to powerful cleric and ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Meanwhile, Powerful Iranian cleric and opposition supporter Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has decided not to lead Friday prayers this week to avoid clashes at the event, his office said on Monday. To prevent possible clashes during Friday prayers, he will not be present, the clerics office said in a statement carried by ISNA newsagency. Reza Taghavi, the head of the coordinating body for Friday prayers had earlier said that the ex-president will not lead the event to prevent any political, unconventional and unacceptable abuse of the occasion.