For Immediate Release
(Ottawa, May 3, 2000) - The Jewish Community Council of Ottawa, Canadian Jewish Congress and B'nai Brith Canada are sponsoring a dramatic visual presentation of the plight of the 13 Jewish Iranian prisoners on trial on charges of espionage. 13 prominent members of the Jewish community will be dressed as chained prisoners and parade in front of the Iranian embassy. A delegation of local rabbis has also requested a meeting with the Iranian embassy officials.
The enactment will take place Wednesday, May 3 between 12 and 1 P.M. in front of the Embassy of Iran at 245 Metcalfe Street.
The 13 have Jews have been under threat for over a year. They were held for much of that time without access to lawyers and without official charges being laid while various factions in the Iranian government struggled for power. Only since the election of the moderates in Iran has there been a decision to proceed. Originally accused of spying for Israel and the United States, now the charges are limited to Israel, which has consistently denied all allegations.
More recently, three of the arrested were released on bail. On Monday, one of the others was videotaped in a confession on Iranian television. The hearings are behind closed doors and the Iranian Revolutionary Court has refused permission to western observers or media to be present.
The judge in this Court, besides having the final say on the appointment of defense lawyers, is also the Chief Investigator and the Prosecutor.
The 13 accused include Jewish community leaders, shopkeepers and a 17 year old. According to stories from Iran, their cases are being heard one or two at a time, two days a week, over the next few weeks.
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Institute for International Affairs
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