Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Iran accuses two Germans of spying
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Iran accuses two Germans of spying
AFP - 1 hour 58 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
TEHRAN (AFP) - – Iran on Tuesday accused two German journalists of spying after they were arrested interviewing the son of a woman condemned to death by stoning, stirring fresh tension with the West ahead of nuclear talks.
"These two Germans came to Iran claiming to be tourists," said Malek Ajdar Sharifi, justice department chief of East Azerbaijan province in the northwest of the country where the arrests were made, quoted by Fars news agency.
"But the work of these two tourists in Iran and Tabriz and the way they reported in Tabriz show that they came for espionage," he said.
"In fact these two came here for espionage and, thank God, they were identified and arrested ... The evidence for espionage was in their hands when arrested and they were planning a smear campaign against the Islamic republic."
The development came as the foreign ministry in Tehran said Iran and world powers, including Germany, had yet to agree on the venue and agenda for a resumption of nuclear talks planned for December 5.
"The consultations are ongoing," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters. "We have reached an agreement on the date. For the rest, once there is an agreement we will announce it."
On Monday, Iranian state-run television showed blurred footage of the two as yet unidentified German men "confessing" that they had been "tricked" into travelling to Iran.
According to the Farsi voiceover of the footage, the journalists arrested on October 10 pointed fingers at Mina Ahadi, an Iranian human rights activist living in exile in Germany.
Ahadi, founder of the Germany-based International Committees against Execution and Stoning, has launched a global campaign to halt the impending execution of Mohammadi-Ashtiani by stoning.
"I did not have any information about this case, but Ms Ahadi knew about it. She sent me to Iran and has gained propaganda value from my arrest. I will sue Ms Ahadi when I am back in Germany," one of the detainees was quoted as saying.
"I accept that I made a mistake. Since I had no information on the case, I was tricked by Ms Ahadi," the other German was quoted as saying.
In Germany, Ahadi hit back on Tuesday, telling AFP: "I did not send them to Iran. I spoke to them about the risks and helped them make contacts.
"I do not think the journalists were mistreated physically ... But they were certainly under psychological pressure," said the activist.
"They have been in prison for a month ... no contact with their family, no phone contact, only once have German diplomats visited these journalists. They are under pressure," she added, stressing that she was not offended.
The television report said the pair were arrested at the office of Mohammadi-Ashtiani's lawyer while trying to interview her son and after taking pictures of Tabriz prison, were the woman is held.
Mohammadi-Ashtiani's case, revealed last summer by human rights associations, has triggered an international outcry.
The Germans, who entered the country on tourist visas, reportedly work for the Springer group in Germany. Foreign reporters need special press visas to be able to work in Iran.
"We are following the news. But for the moment we have no specific information about it," the German foreign ministry said, contacted by AFP in Berlin. The detained Germans have had "intensive consular assistance."
Iran has also accused three American hikers detained on July 31, 2009 of espionage and illegal entry from across the border with neighbouring Iraq.
Two of the three -- Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer -- have been held in a Tehran jail for more than a year, and their female companion Sarah Shourd was released on bail last month.
All three, along with US authorities, have insisted they were not inside Iranian territory.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Fresh violence flares in Guinea after president named AFP - 1 hour 56 minutes ago
Guinean soldiers kill man in post-poll violence: witnesses AFP - Wednesday, November 17
Nigerian rebels say seven oil workers seized AFP - Wednesday, November 17
Prince William to marry Kate Middleton next year AFP - 25 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 27 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Prince William to marry Kate Middleton next year
'Baby black hole' offers insight into cosmic enigma
EasyJet profits surge 70%, plans first dividend
Pilgrims stone the 'devil' as Muslims celebrate Eid
Japan space probe collected asteroid dust
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Greece admits breach of bailout terms as audit begins
Oil will run out 100 years before new fuels developed: study
US truck dealer triggers buying spree with free AK-47s
Prince William to marry Kate Middleton next year
Branson to serve as 'stewardess' after losing F1 bet
More Most Viewed »
Alcohol more harmful than heroin, crack cocaine: study
Toddler survives seven-floor fall in France
EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel
'Naked' airport scanners may be 'dangerous'
Be fit, have fewer colds: study
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 Taliban chief rejects peace talks as 'rumours'
Supermarket blasted for selling reindeer meat in UK
Merkel comfortably re-elected as party leader
Israeli government seen accepting new settlement freeze
|
Eyeing Iran, Israel slates missile shield for 2015
GM to launch massive stock offering Thursday: source
Ireland in talks amid eurozone warning on debt
U.N. peacekeeper says no build-up on Sudan border
Turkey Breasts Recalled Due To Contamination
Four ministers resign from Italy govt
Europe to knock down barriers for disabled
Caterpillar To Acquire Bucyrus In Foray Into Mining
Portugal at risk of needing bailout: finance minister
AMD joins Intel-led MeeGo smartphone project
Reba, Rascal Flatts To Perform At First American Country Awards
Haiti rioters stone U.N. troops, blame them for cholera
|
Greece admits breach of bailout terms as audit begins
Legally Dead Man Arrested In Kidnapping Case
Polisario demands U.N. council probe of Sahara clash
|
Branson to serve as 'stewardess' after losing F1 bet
Kabul clerics call for calm during Eid al-Adha
House Ethics Panel Holds Trial Without Rangel
South Sudanese register for independence vote
|
Greek deficit and debt figures shoot up
Freshman Orientation For Lawmakers; Oath-Taking For Manchin
Karzai call for end to night raids irks US general
Nigerian state arrests 400 over kidnappings
|
"RuPaul's Drag Race" Returns In January With New Judge
Katy Perry Launches Purr Perfume
Police Search For Missing Trio After Teen Found
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
New Michael Jackson song released, gathers buzz
UN culture body warns Tanzania on Serengeti highway
Adidas eyes slice of lucrative youth fashion market
Facebook takes on Google and Yahoo on email, messages
|
RSC gives Roald Dahl's "Matilda" musical makeover
Apple to make iTunes announcement Tuesday
|
SAP co-CEO testifies in defense of Oracle claims
|
Telcos, Discover plan mobile payment venture: sources
|
U.S. eyes gov't spectrum for wireless devices
|
Amazon shares weighed down by rivals' free shipping
|
US-TECH Summary
SAP co-CEO testifies in defense of Oracle claims
Facebook launches new messaging service, includes email
New Michael Jackson song released, gathers buzz
|
to open sites to outside contributors
Bristol Palin rejects jibes as Dancing final nears
|
U.S. eyes gov't spectrum for wireless devices
Will Palin TV show translate into presidential run?
|
Amazon shares weighed down by rivals' free shipping
Japan, China should just chat together, says blogger
RSC gives Roald Dahl's Matilda musical makeover
|
Apple to make iTunes announcement Tuesday
Save the world from climate change -- by computer
Apple to make iTunes announcement on Tuesday
Nigeria reports Iran arms seizure to U.N Security Council
Paraguay nixes expedition to remote tribal region
At least 55 killed in Delhi building collapse
|
South Sudanese register for independence vote
New search tool vital for digital media future: France's INA
Crunch time for euro nations as markets taste blood
Haiti rioters attack U.N. troops, one protester killed
|
Telcos, Discover plan mobile payment venture: sources
UK to compensate Guantanamo ex-detainees: report
|
US truck dealer triggers buying spree with free AK-47s
Report: Mexican Drug Cartels Spreading to Other Countries
George W. Bush Promotes New Memoir At Miami Book Fair
New Facebook message system takes aim at Google,
Heavy smoking in pregnancy linked to crime in offspring
U.S. missile strike kills 20 militants in Pakistan
|
Karzai remarks raise questions about Afghan war
GM eyes Thursday end for 'Government Motors'
"Toy Story 3" The #1-Selling Blu-Ray And DVD
Four detained after Shanghai apartment fire kills 53
|
Facebook takes on Google and Yahoo in Web messages
Facebook Announces New Modern Messaging System to Trump Email
Oil will run out 100 years before new fuels developed: study
Russian arms suspect Bout leaves Thailand: official
|
Caterpillar Acquisition, Better October Retail Sales Boost Stocks
Truck Dealer Offering Free AK-47 With Every Purchase
Microsoft sells one million Kinects in 10 days
60 killed in Delhi building collapse
Nigeria reports Iran arms seizure to U.N.
|
Taiwan ex-head's son loses prostitution libel case
U.S. missile strike kills 20 militants in Pakistan
Militants kidnap 7 from Exxon platform off Nigeria
|
Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service
Thailand extradites 'Merchant of Death' to US
Christina Aguilera gets Hollywood star
Swamp gas blamed for deadly Mexico hotel blast
Vietnamese man 'nabbed with frozen tiger'
U.S. officials defend new airport screening procedures
China law enforcers ordered to make no-beating vow
Israel PM eyes slim majority for new freeze: reports
Thai PM agrees to send Russian arms suspect to U.S.
Russia 'traitor' revelation due to spy turf war: report
Hasan declines to testify at Fort Hood tribunal
Fading fish stocks driving Asian sea rivalries
Paraguay's frontier town a magnet for merchants, criminals
Building collapse kills at least 60 in Indian capital
Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service
US drones kill 15 in Pakistan rebel training base
Christina Aguilera gets Hollywood star
Facebook takes on Google and Yahoo in Web messages
|
Jay-Z decodes life, hip-hop, songs in literary debut
Beatles coming to Apple's iTunes: source
|
South Park sued for stealing music video in 2008
S.Korea T-bond futures down ahead of rate review
Google's new phone software supports mobile payment
|
'Megamind' keeps box office gold
Korea Hot Stocks
Microsoft says sells 1 million Kinect devices
|
"Muppet" movie loading up on cameos
Seoul shares down; Hana, KEB open up on sale report
"Tangled", "Megamind" among animated Oscar contenders
Hyundai Group takes lead for S.Korean builder
Ne-Yo welcomes baby girl
Argentina, China bury the trade war hatchet
Bank of Korea lifts rates, more raise seen in Q1
JAL to dismiss 200 crew to meet rehabilitation plan
Moderate quake strikes Indonesia
Twenty injured in clash at Hyundai car factory
India's Mahindra Satyam shows fiscal year quarterly profit
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee firms
Jay-Z decodes life, hip-hop, songs in literary debut
|
Dino De Laurentiis memorialized in LA service
|
Bill Clinton said to appear in Hangover 2
|
South Park sued for stealing music video in 2008
|
Piracy hotspot Bangladesh bootlegged to bankruptcy
Darren Criss lands regular role on Glee
|
Ne-Yo welcomes baby girl
|
Muppet movie loading up on cameos
|
Google Hotpot lets friends share hotspots
Tangled, Megamind among animated Oscar contenders
|
Microsoft sells one million Kinects in 10 days
Girl Talk releases album All Day free online
|
Five million watch debut of Sarah Palin TV show
|
Next Google phone will be mobile wallet: CEO
Google's new phone software supports mobile payment
Microsoft says sells 1 million Kinect devices
Google denounces Web curbs as '21st century trade barriers'
Iran accuses two Germans of spying
Britain to pay compensation to Guantanamo detainees
Mob in Athens abuses Muslims as they celebrate Eid
|
Stuxnet study suggests Iran enrichment aim: experts
Afghan president marks holiday with plea for peace
Prince William to marry Kate Middleton next year
Prince William to marry girlfriend Kate Middleton
|
Panasonic to begin smartphone sales in Japan in 2011
Gruesome find told at US hearing into Afghan killings
Afghan poll candidate killed during holiday prayers
|
Trial over Chechen dissident killing in Vienna
Carey Mulligan Gets Lead Female Role In Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby"
Pilgrims stone the 'devil' as Muslims celebrate Eid
Sina launches developer fund for China's Twitter
Gates sees no gap with Karzai on Afghan war strategy
|
Ft. Hood Hearing Ends With No Evidence From Defense
Japan space probe collected asteroid dust
US defends Afghan mission after Karzai criticism
China Web game market to hit $750 million in 3 years: report
India Hails, Pakistan Fumes At Kashmirs Exclusion From UN List
Thailand extradites Russian arms suspect to U.S.
|
Teen Binge Drinking Could Lead To Adult Anxiety And Depression
NATO service member killed in eastern Afghanistan
Gates sees Iran rift, says strike would unite country
|
Toy Retailer FAO Schwarz Launches Baby Line
U.S. Remains Optimistic As Middle East Peace Process Stays On Hold
Strains in Israel coalition over U.S. freeze package
|
Miami Gunman's Standoff Ends After Toddler, Two Adults Shot
U.S. Reiterates UNSC Seat For India, Calls Pakistan To Act On Terror Groups
Colder winters possible due to climate change: study
|
Texas Firm Recalls Fully Cooked Ready-To-Eat Turkey Breast Products for Possible Listeria Contamination
Exxon says Nigeria oil platform raid cuts output
|
India government mired in giant graft scandal
|
Ton-up Younis helps Pakistan draw first SA Test
China sends patrol vessel to disputed waters
Eight detained after Shanghai apartment fire kills 53
Thailand extradites alleged arms dealer Bout to US
Thailand extradites arms dealer to US
Thailand to extradite arms dealer to US
Shark sanctuary declared in eastern Indonesia
Beatles coming to Apple's iTunes: source
Italians relax on the slopes with 'Slow Skiing'
Indonesian leader condemns Saudi maid 'torture'
In Senegal, a sheep is man's best friend
Desperate search after Delhi building collapse
Apple says Beatles songs now on iTunes
|
India ruling party mired in giant graft scandal
Barnes & Noble says shipments of NookColor start
|
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee weakens; o/n rates down
Telcos form Isis mobile pay venture with Discover
|
Bank of Korea lifts rates, more raise seen in Q1
Pakistan's July-Oct c/a deficit narrows to $533 mln
Major League Soccer looks to online fantasy game
|
Q+A-Are Pakistan's revised economic targets realistic?
Japan's lower house OKs 60 billion dollar stimulus
China Web game market to hit $750 million in 3 years: report
|
Growing South Korea moves to tame inflation
Seoul shares slip; Hyundai E&C weighs, Hana Fin up
Seoul shares dip as Hyundai E&C weighs; Hana Fin up
China: foreign direct investment uptick continues
Final Harry Potter movie will be like a war film
|
Apple says Beatles songs now on iTunes
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights