DATE=7/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN TRIAL/REACT (L-O)
NUMBER=2-263989
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iranian newspapers and television stations
reject Western criticism of the verdict in an
espionage trial in which 10 Iranian Jews and two
Muslims were sentenced to jail terms ranging from four
to 13-years. Correspondent Laurie Kassman has more
from our Middle East bureau.
TEXT: Iran's state-run news agency quotes the foreign
ministry spokesman as denouncing what he calls
"interfering remarks" by foreign officials about the
Shiraz trial.
Hamid Reza Asefi told Iran radio no country would have
an impact on the independent judicial process of
Iran's courts. He calls for other states to respect
the right of sovereignty and refrain from interfering
in Iran's domestic affairs.
Western governments and human-rights groups have
sharply criticized the trial and the verdict. Some
suggest the sentencing of the Iranian Jews could hurt
Iran's efforts to improve its image in the world
political arena.
Ten of the 13 Jews on trial received jail terms
ranging from four to 13-years. Three were acquitted.
Two Muslims also received jail terms, but two others
were released. Five other Muslims, accused of spying
for Israel, are still waiting for their day in court.
Some analysts say international pressure may have
produced lighter sentences. Two Iranian Jews
convicted of spying in 1997 were hanged.
The conservative daily Javan asks the same question about
international pressure, but suggests such a precedent
would only encourage more spying against Iran.
Most of Iran's reformist newspapers have refrained
from editorial comments on the trial.
The conservative Persian-language daily Jomhouria
Eslami and the English-language Iran News dismiss the
international criticism and blame what they call -
Zionist manipulation - of the world media. Iran News
complains that most of the foreign news reports have
focussed on the Iranian Jews on trial and neglected to
mention the Muslims who were also charged with spying
for Israel. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/DW/RAE
02-Jul-2000 08:59 AM EDT (02-Jul-2000 1259 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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