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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 12 - May 2, 2000

Toronto, May 2, 2000 - The trial of the 13 Iranian Jewish captives resumed yesterday in a closed courtroom with the alleged confession of Danny Tefilin, as reported by Hossein Ali Amiri, head of the Shiraz Judiciary. Amiri concluded his press briefing with the ominous postscript: “His case is finished”. After a summary hearing, the culmination of over a year of investigation of what was purportedly a complex case, the defendant was paraded on Iranian TV repeating his "confession" and implicating others in a "network". International observers remain highly skeptical about the validity of any such "confession" extracted behind closed doors and consider Tefilin is a possible “fall guy” targeted in order to save face for the Iranians.

Diplomats from Canada, South Africa, the Netherlands, Australia and Japan congregated outside the courtroom hoping in vain to be allowed entry, while Elahe Hicks, a representative of the New York based Human Rights Watch, was granted a meeting with Judge Sadik Nourani. In her unsuccessful appeal for an open trial, Hicks urged that both the basis for the charges and the supporting evidence should be disclosed in accordance with internationally accepted judicial norms. After the meeting she was able to exchange a few words with Danny Tefilin as he passed by with his guards. This is the first contact that any international observer has had with the defendants.

The Judge - who also serves as investigator, prosecutor and jury in this case - assured Hicks that the same judicial procedures would take place in the closed proceedings as would be followed in a general court. Furthermore, he promised that the defendants would have the right of appeal, even to the Supreme Court. The other defendants will be examined in six further hearings that are scheduled to take place biweekly. The verdicts and sentencing will take place after all the hearings have been completed.

Danny Tefilin' s court-appointed lawyer has reiterated that his client was not involved in spying and that his contacts with Israel did not constitute espionage. Certainly, with a mother, two sisters and a brother living in Israel, it is hardly surprising that Tefilin would have visited the country and had communication with its citizens. These activities, however innocuous, would naturally attract the hostility of the authorities given that telephoning or sending an e-mail to Israel are against the law in Iran. Furthermore, animosity towards Israel is seen as the patriotic duty of every loyal Iranian, in keeping with official policy.

Meanwhile, applications from B'nai Brith Canada representatives who had requested visas in order to attend the trial were turned down due to “incomplete paperwork”. “Incorrect paperwork” was the official reason given for the trial judge's refusal to accept the initial list of legal representatives that was presented for his approval. The technicalities of judicial process are certainly not receiving the same attention from the Iranian authorities. The subsequent list, selected in agreement with the judge, was described by local observers as “the best we could get in the circumstances”. The trial, coming as it does in the midst of conservative attempts to undermine reformist gains in the February elections, has already alarmed the international human rights community and will be monitored closely.

	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