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	The B'nai Brith Canada Institute for International Affairs has a mandate to protest the abuse of human rights throughout the world and advocate on behalf of worldwide Jewish communities in distress. The Institute has a special focus on pro-Israel advocacy and education.
Rochelle Wilner President	Frank Dimant Chief Executive Officer	Amos Sochaczevski National Chair	Ruth Klein National Director

There is no greater mitzvah than Redemption of Captives
Maimonides, Mishnah Torah, Hilchot Matanot Ani’im, Chapter 8, Article 10

IRAN UPDATE 6 - August 31, 1999

As the 13 Iranian Jews enter their sixth month of detention, news of their fate is still fuelled by speculation. Last week s rumours that prosecutors were scheduled to bring charges against the captives have been overtaken by the announcement that the Ministry of Information has formally handed over the case to the judiciary. According to normal Iranian judicial process, a trial date and venue should be set shortly. Sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that similar information has been given to our Ambassador in Tehran who is monitoring the situation closely.

According to an official from Shiraz, quoted in the English daily newspaper TEHRAN TIMES earlier this week, the investigation has purportedly taken so long because the alleged espionage network was very complicated . He warned that the investigations will continue to identify and arrest other persons... There are certain people who are considered the brains of the network. They must be arrested too . The news report also mentioned a few Muslims among the suspects , which could simply be camouflage to mask the specific targeting of Jews in this case.

The official said the captives will be allowed lawyers, but could not confirm whether the trial will be open or held in camera. Any closed trial would be in blatant contravention of their rights under international human rights law, which have already been violated by more than five months in detention without any formal charges or access to a lawyer.

Although no official details have been released of the exact charges against the captives, the Tehran Times article specified sending information to the Zionist regime, dispatching the members of their network abroad for training and assisting some Iranians to illegally leave the country The suspects used advanced communication devices to send information to the Zionist regime from Shiraz.

In addition, disturbing news has just been received from a reliable source in Iran which cited serious concerns over the health of the youngest captive, 16 year-old Navid Balazadeh. Reports that Iran may be searching for a face-saving solution to this case can do little to allay immediate anxiety for the welfare of this boy, and for all the captives.

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