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
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