DATE=5/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN/JEWS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-262112
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Two more Jews have confessed to spying for
Israel in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. Five
of the 13 Jews on trial have confessed to spying.
From Cairo, Lisa Bryant reports on the recent
developments surrounding the controversial closed-door
proceedings.
TEXT: A defense attorney for the Jews told reporters
that Ramin Farzam and Nasser Levi-Haim had admitted to
spying for the Israeli intelligence service.
The defendant, Mr. Levi-Haim, also told reporters that
he had been tricked by Israeli agents into spying. He
said his confession had been made voluntarily, and
without coercion from Iran's Revolutionary Court.
The other defendant, Mr. Farzam, confessed on state-
run television that he had been paid to spy by the
Israeli government. Mr. Farzam, who is a store clerk,
said he was caught before being able to relay any
information. Three other defendants, or their
lawyers, have admitted to similar charges.
But a defense attorney for the Jews, Esmail Nasseri,
said he doubts the validity of the confessions. Mr.
Nasseri also said Iranian prosecutors have not
produced any evidence - besides the confessions - to
support the spying charges. Besides the 13 Jews, the
Iranian government has also accused nine Muslims with
participating in an alleged spy ring.
The accusations, along with the closed-door court
proceedings, have sparked an outcry by international
human-rights groups. Foreign governments have also
voiced concerns about the trial. The Israeli
government has denounced the spying allegations as
baseless.
Critics also fear the Jews may be handed harsh
sentences. Foreign diplomats warn that possible death
sentences would undermine Iran's fledgling relations
with the West.
The court denied a defense request to allow outside
observers to attend the trial. But Iranian officials
- including President Mohammed Khatami - have
previously said the trial will be fair.
The proceedings have focused an unwelcome spotlight on
Iran's estimated 30-thousand Jews. Many have voiced
fear and concern about the repercussions of the spy
trial. They also say they find it hard to believe
that those accused - who include store clerks,
scholars and students - would be capable of spying for
Israel. (SIGNED)
NEB/LB/RAE
08-May-2000 15:45 PM EDT (08-May-2000 1945 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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