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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: JCPA Calls Closed Iran Trial "Unacceptable" "Confessions" deemed "not credible" May 5, 2000 – New York -- The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is deeply troubled by news emanating from Iran, regarding the situation of the 13 Jews standing trial on allegations of espionage. At a prayer vigil held yesterday near the Iranian Mission to the United Nations, JCPA Chair Leonard A. Cole joined Jewish community leaders in expressing their frustration and concern over the handling of the case. The vigil was coordinated by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the New York Jewish Community Relations Council. Following the vigil, Dr. Cole issued the following statement: For over a year, 13 Jews have been held in prison on baseless allegations of espionage. No evidence has been produced to substantiate this claim, yet these innocent Jews may now face the death penalty. Recently, the media and Iranian officials have reported that some of the defendants have confessed to spying for Israel for money and love of the Jewish state. These "confessions" are not credible. The trials have been held behind closed doors, despite Iran’s promises to the contrary. Diplomats, human rights activists, journalists and the victims’ families all have been barred from the courtroom. The judge also serves as prosecutor and appointed the defense attorneys. The defendants have spent over a year in prison, with minimal contact with the outside world – even their court appointed lawyers have not been able to speak to them at length. Thus, the "confessions" are nothing more than a travesty of justice. We once again call upon the Iranian authorities to comply with international norms of justice and human rights. We urge all people of goodwill to stand with us in our call for justice. # # # The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the public affairs arm of the organized American Jewish community and serves as the national coordinating and advisory body for the 13 national and 122 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations. |
