Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
French lecturer, embassy staffers on trial in Iran  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
    
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
French lecturer, embassy staffers on trial in Iran
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFP - 2 hours 27 minutes ago
TEHRAN (AFP) - - A French lecturer and two Iranian employees of the British and French embassies were in the dock on Saturday alongside others detained during protests over the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sparking anger in London and surprise in Paris.
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
 
 
  
Clotilde Reiss, who turned 24 in Tehran's notorious Evin prison last week, was arrested on July 1 as she tried to fly home.
Flanked by a policewoman, she wore blue jeans, a dark coat and a striped headscarf as she sat in the front row of defendants.
"She is accused of collecting information and provoking rioters," the official IRNA news agency reported. Fellow defendant Nazak Afshar, from the French embassy's cultural section, was detained on Thursday.
Iran's state television said both played an "active role in the unrest by giving information to foreign embassies."
IRNA said Reiss had reported on post-election protests in the central city of Isfahan to the French embassy.
"I have written a one-page report and submitted it to... the cultural department of the French embassy," it quoted her as telling the judge.
"I was planning to leave Iran, but I took part in rallies of June 15 and 17 in Tehran and took photographs and film. I did this out of curiosity and to be aware of the political situation. I wanted to know what was happening."
Reiss denied preparing a technical report on Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
Afshar told the court she and other staffers had been told to shelter protesters if required, IRNA said.
"In the event that confrontations occurred in front of the cultural department of the embassy, we were told to offer refuge to protesters if they asked."
Also in the dock was British embassy local staffer Hossein Rassam who was detained during the post-vote violence in Tehran along with eight embassy colleagues. They were later freed, while he was released on bail.
IRNA said he has been accused of spying.
"Based on the order of British embassy, the local staff were asked to be present in the riots along with Tom Burn and Paul Blemey," Rassam said of two British diplomats expelled by Iran in June.
"You along with Arash Momenian were given the duty of meeting representatives of political groups, ethnic and religious minorities, and student groups and to relay the news of Iran's riots to London," IRNA quoted the prosecutor as telling the court.
The judge said the allegation merited a charge of espionage.
"Based on the charges read out by the Tehran prosecution, you are accused of spying for foreigners," the judge was quoted as saying by IRNA, which identified him by only the single name Salavati.
Rassam was quoted as telling the court: "The victory of Mr. Ahmadinejad was shocking for the British embassy, and in our first report to London we stressed claims made by one candidate about fraud" in the election.
He told the court that British diplomats, including the two expelled later, had attended protests in Tehran and that "the ambassador along with the charge d'affaires took part in witnessing a rally of Mousavi supporters."
In London, a Foreign Office spokeswoman slammed Rassam's trial.
"We deplore these trials and the so-called confessions of prisoners who have been denied their basic human rights," she said.
"Our ambassador in Tehran has demanded early clarification of the position from the Iranian authorities. We will then decide on how to respond to this latest outrage."
In France, Reiss's father Remi was taken unawares by her appearance in court. "I had not been told. I was surprised to see her appear at this trial," he said, adding that he believes she is innocent.
More than 10 other defendants detained during the protests that followed Ahmadinejad's hotly disputed June 12 re-election were in court with Reiss and the two embassy staffers.
It was the second hearing in the trial of a number of key reformist politicians and journalists, the ISNA news agency said.
Some 100 defendants were charged with various offences, including rioting, at the first hearing on August 1. Reiss and the two embassy staffers were not present in court then.
At that hearing, several accused withdrew earlier allegations of fraud in the presidential election, saying that Ahmadinejad's victory was clean.
Another 10 protesters were put in the dock in a separate trial on Sunday.
Both Ahmadinejad's main challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi and reformist former president Mohammad Khatami have denounced the trials.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
     
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
 
Related Articles: World
Peru's Fujimori to face another trial in SeptemberAFP - Saturday, August  8
Afghan mission could last 40 years: new army chiefAFP - Sunday, August  9
Angry Americans disrupt town-hall healthcare talksReuters - Saturday, August  8
AP News in Brief at 5:58 a.m. EDTAP - Saturday, August  8
Salmonella product recallsAP - Saturday, August  8
 
 
 
 
 
 Enlarge Photo
 
Detained French lecturer Clotilde Reiss, seen here at a hearing, along with two Iranian employees of the British and French embassies are on trial in Tehran alongside others detained during protests over the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sparking anger in London and surprise in Paris.
 
 
 
Most Popular – World
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
Manson murders back in spotlight 40 years on
 
 
State-rescued bank RBS mired in bad debts
 
 
Taiwan's Jay Chou goes to Hollywood: report
 
 
Turn in US jobs data boosts recovery hopes
 
 
Scientists decode HIV genome structure: study
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
   
 
Other News on Saturday,  8 August 2009 Police: 37 die in Iraq as bombs target Shiites  
Bulgaria looks to techno park on old steel site  
Britain frees Great Train Robber Biggs  
Malaysia denies Internet filter will curb dissent  
Surprise fall in US unemployment level  
Dollar falls before US jobs data  
Drugmakers to supply cheap HIV treatments  
Fatah reform problems highlight Palestinian split  
Death toll in N. Iraq bombing rises to 21  
Aide says Pakistani Taliban leader killed by US  
Indonesia police in shootout with suspected militants  
Flood threat along river in southwest China diminishing: ministry  
GOP Sen. Martinez tells supporters he's resigning  
NY court: US govt can withhold Spitzer documents  
12 killed in Philippines flooding: officials  
'Militants' planning attacks in Delhi arrested: police  
Former Beijing airport boss executed in China  
Germ warfare scientist Wallace Pannier dies at 81  
2 window washers rescued from Calif. high-rise  
Arrest of leader a major blow to Sri Lankan rebels  
US, Swiss get more time to finalize UBS tax deal  
Ex-NY judge gets prison for recruiting prostitutes  
Myanmar: Terrorists tried to disrupt Suu Kyi trial  
Ohio bus driver was on phone when man killed  
3 British troops, 1 American killed in Afghanistan  
AP source: Jackson doc gave sedatives before death  
Philippine floods kill 12, including 3 Europeans  
Gun owners sue DC for right to carry weapons  
Clinton visits Mandela, tours his archives  
China keen to boost growth, avoid loan quotas: officials  
Air India plans to go low-cost to survive  
Chinese appliance tycoon's assets frozen in HK  
China fund lost 2.1 pct on global portfolio in '08  
SKorea, India sign free trade agreement  
G.I. Joe should be court-martialed
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistani stocks, rupee up on IMF loan hopes  
Dance queen Lady GaGa fashions booming career
| Entertainment
|  
Planner: China rebound still depends on stimulus  
Kazakhs cut interest rates for 6th time in 2009  
Gun Foundation Sues D.C. For Not Issuing Weapon Permits  
Indonesian anti-terror police in shoot out on Java  
Hurricane Felicia Continues To Weaken; Set For Early Tuesday Landfall  
Martinez Resigns Senate Seat, Governor To Appoint Replacement  
Taiwan's Jay Chou cast as Kato in Green Hornet
| Entertainment
|  
Nine-Term Rep. Maloney Drops Plans To Challenge Gillibrand In Senate  
Promising New Wastewater Treatment Technique Produces Electricity, Desalinates Water  
Sanford's Wife Moving Out of Governor's Mansion  
London's theaters defy downturn with bumper year  
Reports: Retiring Sen. Mel Martinez Decides Not To Finish Term  
Forty years on, Beatles fans flock to Abbey Road crosswalk  
Responding To Jobs Report, Reid Says Congress Will Consider Extending Unemployment Benefits  
U.S. Economy Sheds Less-Than-Anticipated Jobs In July By 247,000; Unemployment Rate Drops 9.4%  
Steamed and stirred: Hot chocolate crowned Guatemalan patrimony  
Insurer AIG Swings To First Quarterly Profit In Q2 On Business Stabilization  
Salzburg celebrates Handel year with new 'Theodora'  
AP source: Jackson doc gave sedatives before death  
Comedian Adam Carolla to publish a book of rants  
Madonna's Slovenian concert cancelled  
David Byrne makes music with London building  
Broadway revival of `Hair' recoups its investment  
Pilots in SC Learjet crash heard noise, hit brakes  
Britain in Afghanistan for 40 years: next army chief  
Indonesia believes top militant killed: sources
| International
|  
German ship released by pirates arrives in Kenya  
Pro-Georgian blogger target of Internet attacks  
Freddie Mac swings to profit, after steep losses  
NATO probes two Afghan civilian casualties
| International
|  
Iraq bombs targeting Shi'ites kill 50  
Surprise fall in rate of US unemployment  
iTunes' Mexico launch could shake up digital market  
Iraq bombs kill 50, mostly Shi'ites targeted
| International
|  
Russia rejects new Politkovskaya probe  
Pakistani Taliban chief Mehsud 'dead'  
U.S. government will not get secret company Internet data  
Manson murders back in spotlight 40 years on  
Venezuela's Chavez returns envoy to Colombia
| International
|  
47 Iraqis killed in Shiite holy day attacks  
India detains suspect North Korean sugar ship
| International
|  
Number of missing from Tonga ferry put at 85
| International
|  
U.S. moves toward releasing young Guantanamo detainee
| International
|  
British soldiers killed in Afghan attacks  
Obama says no quick way to end Honduras crisis
| International
|  
U.S. government will not get secret company Internet data
| Technology
|  
iTunes' Mexico launch could shake up digital market
| Technology
|  
Mouse builds nest in Oregon ATM with $20 bills  
Drunk police intern arrested for impersonating cop  
FBI sting sheds negative light on NJ development  
Former Jack Daniel's master distiller dies at 69  
Asian terror suspect Noordin dead: TV  
Philly officer accused of unauthorized Obama check  
Medical Examiner Says Cocaine Contributed To Billy Mays' Death  
Angry Americans disrupt town-hall healthcare talks  
China probes Internet bootcamp after teen dies
| Technology
|  
Asia struggles to find serious athletics medal hopes  
Ark. doctor, wife face new charges in weapons case  
1 dead, 4 missing as Typhoon Morakot slams Taiwan  
Pakistan says Taliban chief is probably dead  
Surprisingly strong jobs data signal turning point  
Unusual ruling costs Appleby at World Golf event  
Mich. police: Texas man used 5-month-old as shield  
Ark. mom allegedly drank before sons drowned  
Salmonella product recalls  
Siddle, Clark put Aussies on top in fourth Test  
China blames unrest on foreign-based separatists  
Pakistani c.bank buys 20 bln rupees of T-bills  
IMF boosts loan to Pakistan by $3.2 bln  
News Corp tests charge-for-content policy at Sunday Times: report  
Japan PM frontrunner calls for single Asian currency  
Mad Men still spellbinding
| Entertainment
|  
Michael Douglas' son could get life in prison
| Entertainment
|  
Indonesian police exchange gunfire with militants  
Iran Cannes stars seek asylum in Britain: report  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Live metal thrives with Mayhem, Metallica tours
| Entertainment
|  
Live metal thrives with Mayhem, Metallica tours  
Asian pop star to play Kato in "Green Hornet"  
Beckham on hand as 'Idol' resumes post-Paula  
Ludacris takes on many roles beyond rap  
US media giants press court to allow J.D. Salinger spin-off  
Michael Douglas' son could get life in prison  
"Mad Men" still spellbinding  
Founder of punk's Mink DeVille dies at 58  
Defendants confess helping West at Iran mass trial  
Sarkozy played 'big role' ending Georgia war: Medvedev  
Taiwan's Jay Chou goes to Hollywood: report  
Pakistani Taliban sows doubt over leader's death
| International
|  
Explosions at besieged 'terror hideout' in Indonesia  
Abbas reelected Fatah chief at strife-torn congress  
Defendants confess helping West at Iran mass trial
| International
|  
French lecturer, embassy staffers on trial in Iran  
Iran puts French woman on trial  
Fighting kills at least 17 in Somali pirate port
| International
|  
War not won despite 'death' of Taliban chief: Islamabad  
NATO friendly fire wounds 5 Afghan policemen
| International
|  
Clinton plants flowers in South African township
| International
|  
Fatah endorses Abbas as party leader
| International
|  
Georgia war changed map for good: Russia's Medvedev
| International
|  
One Turkish soldier killed in PKK violence
| International
|  
Typhoon Morakot leaves 6 dead or missing in Taiwan  
Malaysia confirms 3 new swine flu-related deaths  
Pakistanis admit helping in Mehsud missile strike  
Beijing marks Olympic Games first anniversary  
Sotomayor Makes History By Taking Oath As First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice  
US calls for Aug San Suu Kyi's unconditional release  
Obama says `worst may be behind us' on recession  
Voting begins near Sri Lanka's former war zone  
Army Finds Soldier's Electrocution Death In Iraq As Accidental  
U.S. government will not get secret company Internet data
| Technology
|  
Taiwan's Jay Chou goes to Hollywood: report  
The Nation's Weather  
Consumer Credit Falls In June For Fifth Straight Month  
Malaysia probes Philippine diplomat's killing  
Two Failed Florida Banks Close Door  
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region  
Demonstrators disrupt health care forums  
US sounds out new S.African leader  
NASA Council Suggests Revival Of Advanced Concept Institute  
AP Enterprise: Faulty speed sensors found on jets  
Obese Texas inmate hides gun in his flabs of fat  
Eunice Kennedy Shriver remains at Mass. hospital  
Obama's health care plan helped by drug industry  
SD Zoo's online Panda Cam crashes due to overload  
Taiwan's Chou cast as Kato in 'Green Hornet'  
Top terror leader reportedly killed in Indonesia  
Indonesia to ask Noordin family for DNA comparison  
Taiwan's Chou cast as Kato in 'Green Hornet'  
Ben Stein loses NY Times column over endorsement  
Aerosmith guitarist: Tyler broke shoulder in fall  
Jermaine Jackson's 'Smile' coming to iTunes  
Billy Mays' family: Never saw signs of cocaine use  
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