DATE=11/29/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=IRAN REFORMIST PRISON / REACT (L) NUMBER=2-256615 BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB DATELINE=CAIRO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Iran's President Mohammed Khatami has expressed regret over the conviction of a major reformist ally by a special religious court in Tehran. Middle East Correspondent Scott Bobb reports the conviction of former Interior Minister Abdollah Nouri has also sparked heated debate in the Iranian news media. TEXT: President Khatami commented on the conviction of Abdollah Nouri, saying it is an infringement on individual rights to deal harshly with those who voice their opposition in peaceful and acceptable ways. The Iranian president told pro-reform legislators he has been deprived of an experienced and competent colleague. But he indicated he believes Mr. Nouri has not left the political scene permanently, saying he hopes to benefit again from his services. Saturday, the Special Court of the Clergy convicted Mr. Nouri, the editor of the reformist "Khordad" newspaper, of insulting Islam and the late Ayatollah Khomeini. It sentenced him to five-years in prison, banned him from politics for the same period, and closed his newspaper. The conviction of Mr. Nouri was widely viewed as politically motivated and aimed at preventing the popular reformist politician from running in parliamentary elections in February. Mr. Nouri said he planned to run for speaker of the parliament in the elections. Many people believe the elections will deliver a popular verdict on the direction of the Iranian revolution. Reformist politicians like Mr. Nouri are seeking to ease social restrictions and increase popular participation in Iranian politics. But they are battling conservatives who say such reforms violate the principles of the Iranian revolution and its founder, the late Ayatollah Khomeini. Iran's vocal political press has been in a heated debate over the conviction. The "Asr-e Azadegan" newspaper, whose editor (Mashaala Shamsolvaezi) was also sentenced to three-years in prison Saturday, said the prosecution of Mr. Nouri is institutionalized faith trying to crush free debate in the name of Islam. Other newspapers accused the special court of destroying its own legitimacy and missing a chance to help heal the growing rift between the two factions. Conservative newspapers praised the decision and criticized Mr. Nouri for using the court to attack Iran's political system rather than defend himself. The trial, widely reported in the news media, gripped the nation as Mr. Nouri questioned the legitimacy of the special court and many of the policies of the revolutionary government in which he has served. /// REST OPT /// "Khordad" is the fourth reformist newspaper to be closed in Iran this year. The Human Rights Watch organization last month published a report criticizing the press crackdown in Iran. One of its researchers, Elah Hicks, told V-O-A that regardless of the outcome of the struggle between conservatives and reformists, press freedoms need more protection. /// HICKS ACT /// The only way to protect the basic freedom for press, and freedom of expression in general, is to legalize and provide enough safeguards in Iran's press law and constitution. /// END ACT /// Ms. Hicks acknowledged some conservative newspaper editors have also been brought to trial for various offenses. But she said in the few instances they have been convicted, punishment has been relatively light compared to that handed down to pro-reform publishers. (SIGNED) NEB/SB/JWH/RAE 29-Nov-1999 11:26 AM EDT (29-Nov-1999 1626 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
