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

IRAN UPDATE 10 - March 8, 2000

March 8, 2000… The results of the recent parliamentary elections to Iran's national assembly, its Sixth Majlis, have created a renewed measure of optimism over the prospect of reform in Iran in general, and the fate of 13 Iranian Jewish captives in particular. The moderates now hold more than 70% of the seats in the new parliament and are promising reforms that will impact on political parties, the media and religious dissidents. In the wake of these reformist gains, the news that the trial of the captives will begin on April 13, 2000 was initially greeted as encouraging, although the release of all the accused would have been the appropriate action.

However, while the overwhelming success of the moderate forces will no doubt benefit Iran in the long run, it is far from certain that the captives' troubles are over. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds the lifetime position of Supreme Leader, still has tight control over the judiciary and the intelligence services - the very mechanisms that have been instrumental in the arrests and protracted investigation of the accused - as well as the army and police.

The trial indicates some semblance of judicial process is beginning after almost a year of detention, but there are still serious concerns. The trial judge has reportedly stated that the proceedings will only take one day. He has yet to decide whether the public, the media and international observers will be allowed to monitor the proceedings.

The trials will take place in the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz. According to the Iranian Constitution, Revolutionary Tribunals are responsible for trying charges of terrorism and offenses against national security. Tehran Radio has reported that the Jews will be indeed be charged with “actions against national security” or, in other words, espionage. The accusations against three of the group who were recently released on bail were reportedly downgraded, but the threat of as yet unspecified charges still hangs over them and their trials will also be held in the Revolutionary Court with all that the court's mandate implies.

An Iranian spokesman has confirmed that the 13 Jews have finally been permitted to retain defense attorneys, or the courts will appoint lawyers for them. However, the accused will not necessarily be able to hire the lawyers of their choice since not all members of the legal profession will wish to be associated with this case for fear that it will harm their professional reputation.

Article 37 of the Iranian Constitution states: “Innocence is to be presumed, and no one is to be held guilty of a charge unless his or her guilt has been established by a competent court.” These proceedings will have to be monitored closely to ensure that a mock trail does not take place that will target some or all of the Jews for a 'guilty' verdict, in an effort to 'save face' for the Iranian authorities.

	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.
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