DATE=6/11/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250518
TITLE=IRAN / SPIES (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN IRAN, WORSHIPERS AT FRIDAY'S PRAYERS AT TEHRAN 
UNIVERSITY HAVE CALLED FOR THE IMMEDIATE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF 
13 IRANIAN JEWS CHARGED WITH SPYING FOR ISRAEL. V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU (IN 
CAIRO) THAT ISRAELI OFFICIALS DENY THE ACCUSATIONS.

TEXT:  THE 13 IRANIAN JEWS INCLUDE TWO RABBIS AND SEVERAL 
TEACHERS. THEY WERE ARRESTED LAST MARCH IN THE SOUTHERN IRANIAN 
CITIES OF SHIRAZ AND ISFAHAN. THEY HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH SPYING 
FOR ISRAEL, AND UNDER A LAW PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO COULD FACE 
THE DEATH PENALTY.

ISRAELI OFFICIALS DENY THAT THE JEWS EVER SPIED FOR ISRAELI 
INTELLIGENCE SERVICES AND A NUMBER OF WESTERN GOVERNMENTS HAVE 
CALLED FOR THEIR RELEASE.

HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SAY THE 13 ACCUSED ARE TO BE TRIED IN 
A REVOLUTIONARY COURT IN WHICH LAWYERS AND OBSERVERS ARE 
FORBIDDEN. HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OFTEN CRITICIZE THESE COURTS 
FOR FAILING TO OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR FAIR JUDICIAL 
PROCESS.

TWO PEOPLE WERE CONVICTED OF SPYING TWO YEARS AGO IN IRAN AND 
WERE HANGED.

THE HEAD OF THE IRANIAN JUDICIARY FRIDAY SAID THE 13 ACCUSED 
WOULD RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL UNDER IRANIAN LAW AND IF CONVICTED 
WOULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY. IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY HAS REACTED
TO INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM OF THE ARRESTS, CALLING IT 
IRRESPONSIBLE.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND JEWS LIVING IN IRAN, ONE OF THE 
LARGEST SUCH POPULATIONS IN THE REGION. A NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS 
MINORITIES -- INCLUDING JEWS, CHRISTIANS AND ZOROASTRIANS -- ARE 
RECOGNIZED BY THE IRANIAN STATE, WHICH SAYS THEY ARE FREE TO 
PRACTICE THEIR RELIGION. (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/GE

11-Jun-99 9:11 AM EDT (1311 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.