Скачать или смотреть IRAN: JEWS ACCUSED OF SPYING FOR US - TRIAL ADJOURNED

(13 Apr 2000) Farsi/Nat

The trial of 13 members of Iran's Jewish community accused of spying for the United States and Israeli governments was adjourned on Thursday after 90 minutes.

The outcome of the closed-door trial could determine the future of Tehran's relations with the West.

The defendants maintain their innocence, but if convicted could get long prison terms or even death sentences.

In the latest chapter of strained relations between Iran and the west 13 Jewish members of Iran's community went on trial accused of spying for the United States and the Israeli governments.

The Revolutionary Court hearing the trial without a jury postponed the case after just 90 minutes, though no reason has been given.

When the trial is resumed, the court's judge will lead the investigation, prosecute and hand down the sentence and verdict.

If convicted, the suspects could get long prison terms or death sentences.

The 13 suspects were arrested more than a year ago.

Iranian Jewish leaders have said that among the accused are merchants, religious teachers, civil servants and a
student.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"These 13 folks, most of them are known to us personally, we know them. They had daily contact with us. They are not unknown to the Jewish society. We chose them."
SUPER CAPTION: Haroun Yashyaee, Head of Tehran Jewish Society

The leaders of Iran's Jewish community were already expecting the worst even before the outset of the trial.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"The extent of democracy in Iran is such that about these 13 Jewish accused we have talked with the President, Head of Parliament, Head of Judiciary, and the case judge numerous times and many officials of the Islamic Republic. This shows that we can talk about our problems with the Islamic Republic of Iran,"
SUPER CAPTION: Haroun Yashyaee, Head of Tehran Jewish Society

Iranian authorities said on Wednesday that the trial would be closed to the public for national security reasons, dashing hopes the proceedings can be monitored to ensure they are free and fair.

Only the accused, their official counsels and those who have "legal involvement" in the case would be allowed to attend.

As such the affair has turned into an international issue with the U-S saying that the procedures and outcome of the trial could affect growing tensions between the two countries.

Several European countries and the U-N have also condemned the arrests and called for a fair trial.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"Some people regarding this case want to bring the Islamic Republic of Iran under question and not to help these 13 accused, we definitely oppose this movement from outside because we are part of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Eliasi M-P, Jewish community

At its height, Iran's Jewish community numbered about 100-thousand and was still around 80-thousand before Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

Most left after the revolution, and the population has dwindled to about 25-thousand.

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi)
"More than half of the Jewish community in Iran after the revolution have emigrated is true. But that they have gone to Israel is not true. All of them have emigrated to America. There has not been a drive for exodus to Israel. The social problems in Iran, that have existed especially the unemployment problem has resulted in the exodus."
SUPER CAPTION: Haroun Yashyaee, Head of Tehran Jewish Society

The adjournment means the defence now has more time to prepare for the trial, something it had asked for before the trial begin.


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