DATE=5/10/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN / JEWS / TRIAL (L-O UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-262188
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The latest session of the trial of 13 Jews
accused of spying in Iran concluded with another
confession of guilt. But one defendant has pleaded
innocent to charges of spying for Israel. From Cairo,
Lisa Bryant reports his denial is the first innocent
plea since the spy trial began last month.
TEXT: Two brothers, Faramarz and Farzad Kashi,
appeared before a Revolutionary Court judge in the
southern Iranian city of Shiraz. Both brothers are
religion teachers in their 30's.
Faramarz Kashi reportedly confessed to being a member
of an alleged Israeli spy ring. With his confession,
a total of six defendants in the case have admitted to
the state's spying charges.
But Farzad Kashi told the court he was innocent.
According to his lawyer, Farzad Kashi said he had done
no wrong. Therefore, Mr. Kashi reportedly added,
there was nothing to admit.
Mr. Kashi's testimony offers the first variation to a
string of guilty confessions in the court - and in
public - by the Jewish defendants. Two of the Jews
admitted to spying charges on Iranian television.
Others described their confessions to reporters
outside the courtroom. Several said they had not been
coerced into confessing.
Six more Jews involved in the case must still appear
before the Revolutionary Court, which has adjourned
until Monday. It is not clear how they will plead.
In addition, nine Muslims have also been charged with
involvement in the alleged spy ring.
The spy trial has raised international concern on the
part of governments, Jewish organizations, and human
rights groups. Critics say the closed-door
proceedings may be biased. Groups also fear those
found guilty may receive harsh sentences, including
the death penalty. Iranian officials insist the trial
will fair.
The trial has also sparked fears among Iran's 30-
thousand Jews. A lawyer for the Jews on trial, Ismail
Nasseri, said some members of the Shiraz Jewish
community are afraid to go to work or to school. Mr.
Nasseri said they worry about being ridiculed, or
simply do not want to attract attention.
/// OPT /// Other Iranian Jews have asked
photographers not to take their pictures. A recent
photo displayed in a foreign newspaper, shows Jews at
a synagogue in Iran burying their heads inside their
holy books, so their faces cannot be seen.
Iran's Jewish community is among the world's oldest.
Before the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution, there
were an estimated 80-thousand Jews in Iran, including
eight-thousand in Shiraz. After the revolution,
thousands emigrated to Israel, the United States, and
to Europe. /// END OPT ///
Anti-Semitism exists in Iran, but there is also a
Jewish representative in parliament. Jews also have
been able to practice their faith. The most common
accusation many of Iran's Jews face is that of
maintaining contacts with so-called Zionists and the
Zionist state -- Iran's term for Israel. (SIGNED)
NEB/LB/GE/RAE
10-May-2000 11:00 AM EDT (10-May-2000 1500 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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