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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 21 - July 4, 2000

Toronto, July 4, 2000… As the human rights community moved to condemn the harsh prison sentences announced on Saturday for 10 Iranian Jews, the Iranian authorities reacted swiftly to denounce these interventions as “interfering remarks” and to justify the convictions. In a 72-page judgement, the trial judge alleged that the espionage network was “founded on the basis of Judaism and its success was due to the fact that it tried to keep religion alive”. It is this type of statement that has intensified fears that the entire case is a crude attack on Jewish religious practice in Iran. In one fell swoop, the authorities have, in effect, destroyed the entire religious infrastructure of the Shiraz Jewish community and sent a chilling warning to all Jews in Iran that the very fact of their religious observance could make them suspect.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs has expressed “grave concern” over the sentencing of both Jewish and Muslim citizens in Iran, following trials that were “seriously flawed”. Canada has vowed to press for “greater transparency” during the appeals proceedings and to consult with other “like-minded countries” to determine what strategy would be in the best interests of the detainees.

However, while two of the Muslim suspects received two-year sentences, the Jewish defendants were treated in a far harsher way. Dani Tefilin and Asher Zadmehr both received thirteen-year sentences, while Nasser Levihaim was given an eleven-year term and Ramin Farzam was sentenced to ten years. A nine-year sentence was meted out to Javid Bent-Yacoub, with eight-year sentences for Sahrokh Paknahad, Farhad Seleh and Farzad Kashi. Faramaz Kashi and Ramin Nematizadeh were treated the most “leniently”, with five and four year sentences respectively. The three Jewish defendants released on bail earlier this year were acquitted, together with two other Muslim suspects.

On a sinister note, Tehran Times reported statements by Hossein Ali-Amiri, head of the provincial Justice Department, who alluded to “whipping”, as well as cash fines, as part of the sentences. Reuters News Agency subsequently quoted an unnamed court clerk as having denied that lashes, a common component of judicial punishment in Iran, was part of the sentences. However, so much of what happens in Iranian jails is hidden from the public eye that the Tehran Times article deserves serious consideration.

The authorities claim that the case revolves around a Rabbi called Isac, a religious leader in the Shiraz community until he left the country in 1991, who had allegedly led the espionage network. Iran News quoted Amiri as stating that since several of the accused are abroad and “due to insufficient evidence about some of the accused, the case would be open until the return of the fugitives and completion of investigations”. The defence team will certainly focus on this “insufficient evidence” in the appeals process.

However, Amiri’s statement suggests an open-ended investigation that could not only impact on the defendants’ situation, but might also imply future arrests. As such, it will, in effect, be an ongoing threat hanging over the entire Jewish community.

	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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