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May 2, 2000

As many of you know, and as reported in most major newspapers today, the trial of the thirteen Iranian Jews resumed yesterday in Shiraz. The proceedings were held behind closed doors, despite numerous requests by diplomats, foreign journalists (over sixty reporters are in Iran), human rights activists and family members that they be allowed to be present in the courtroom. The revolutionary court is expected to try each defendant individually over a period of time that could last weeks or even months, and then hand down sentences. The next hearing is likely to take place either tomorrow or Thursday.

At the conclusion of yesterday’s court session, officials reported that Hamid (Dani) Tefileen confessed to being a paid agent for the Mossad, and that he had recruited other Jews and Muslims to spy for Israel as well. Allegations that there was spying on behalf the United States, that once were presented by Iranian authorities as central, apparently have been dropped altogether. Later, Tefileen was interviewed on Iran State TV and repeated the "confession," which had to be the result of some form of coercion since there is no basis to the charges against him or any of the other defendants.

Intensive diplomatic efforts continue to take place around the world. A major focus is on Iran’s pending request for a loan from the World Bank. The United States, Canada, and some European countries have expressed opposition to the loan, or at least an indefinite postponement until the fate of the Iranian Jews is determined. Outreach also has taken place with regard to international companies that do business with Iran.

Talking points:

• The closed nature of the trial is unacceptable and only underscores the innocence of the defendants. Authorities may allow foreign observers into the courtroom at some point in the future, but it would be at a time that serves the interests of the revolutionary court, not the interest of justice.
• Confessions by the defendants are coerced and not credible. There is no evidence of any inappropriate activity in the defendants’ files that would support the so-called confessions. Knowing people in and traveling to Israel are not crimes. The proceedings rely exclusively on taped interrogations of the defendants. Indeed, their lawyers, who were not of the defendants’ choosing, still have not been apprised of the specific charges being made against the Iranian Jews. Nor have the lawyers had access to their clients. Even though Iran’s judiciary is in the hands of the hard-liners, the government has ultimate responsibility for what takes place in this situation.
• No journalists aside from the Iran State TV have had access to Tefileen. Iran has a history of parading prisoners who "confess" on television.
• The fate of these thirteen innocent people and the status of the Jewish community in Iran must not be tied to the political struggle inside the country between President Mohammad Khatami and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Hard line newspapers in Iran (the only ones that are still in operation) have attacked the local Jewish community for standing by the thirteen. Nevertheless, a number of members of the community have bravely spoken out against the trial.

Action recommendations:

• Prayer services and vigils: A special prayer service will be held at Jerusalem’s Western Wall on Thursday, May 4 at 4:30 p.m. Israel time (9:30 a.m. Eastern Time). Prayer/Candle light vigils should be held in appropriate locations, such as official Iranian missions, as well as places associated with human rights and freedom, for the duration of the trial, and in conjunction with the Jerusalem service if possible.

We urge you to share with us reports of what your community is planning, and copies of any editorials, press communications and statements.

As always, please contact the JCPA if you have any comments or questions.

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