DATE=8/5/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN/ARREST (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265172
BYLINE=LISA BRYANT
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Iranian police have arrested a prominent pro-
reform cleric, hours after he returned to Tehran from
Paris. From Cairo, Lisa Bryant reports cleric Hassan
Yusefi Eshkevari's arrest appears to be part of an
ongoing crackdown against Iranian moderates.
TEXT: Iran's official news agency says Mr. Eshkevari
was taken into custody shortly after his return to
Tehran Saturday following an extended stay in France.
The Muslim cleric reportedly is accused of acting
against national security. He is also charged with
defaming the state and the Islamic religion.
/// OPT /// According to the Agence France-Presse
news agency, Mr. Eshkevari was greeted by about 100
cheering supporters when he arrived at the Tehran
airport a few hours before his arrest. /// END OPT ///
Earlier this year, Mr. Eshkevari was among the Iranian
participants at a conference held in Germany to
discuss Iranian reforms. Iranian conservatives
harshly criticized the meeting. Other conference
participants have since faced similar charges of
defaming the state.
Mr. Eshkevari's arrest could be connected to a recent
crackdown by the country's hard-line judiciary. The
cleric is editor of a monthly magazine that was among
some 20 pro-reform publication banned so far this
year.
Iranian newspapers and television stations are now
largely dominated by conservatives. Seven journalists
have been jailed in recent months.
However Iran's new parliament -- with moderates making
up about 70 percent of the 290 seats -- is expected to
begin debating the press law on Sunday. Reformist
lawmakers say restoring a free press in Iran is a top
legislative priority. (SIGNED)
NEB/LB/DW/JP
05-Aug-2000 12:12 PM LOC (05-Aug-2000 1612 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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