Leading Iran reformist sentenced

[Ulhas Joglekar]

28 November 1999
Leading Iran reformist sentenced
TEHRAN: An Iranian court controlled by hard-liners handed down jail time on
Saturday to a close ally of Iran's moderate president - the latest chapter
in a political power struggle over democratic changes pushed by the
country's reformers.
Abdollah Nouri, a former interior minister and head of the popular Khordad
daily, was sentenced to five years in jail, said Fariba Davoodi, Khordad's
public relations director. He also was banned from holding any media-related
position for five years, Davoodi said. She spoke to reporters outside the
Tehran courthouse.
Nouri was also fined $5,000, and his newspaper was ordered to close, Davoodi
said. He was to be taken to prison directly from the court, she said.
The move against Nouri apparently was an attempt to derail democratic
reforms advocated by him and his ally, President Mohammad Khatami.
Hard-liners had feared losing the presidency of parliament to Nouri after
February 18 elections, but he is technically barred from the elections
because of the verdict.
``I just spoke to Mr. Nouri on his cell phone and asked him if he felt
dejected,'' said Ali Hekmati, editor-in-chief of Khordad. ``He told me he
was in good spirits.''
Nouri, flanked by eight bodyguards, arrived at the court in a BMW.
Afterwards, police lined the 11/4-mile route from the court to Evin prison
on the foothills of the Alborz Mountains in northern Tehran.
Earlier this month, a clerical jury found Nouri guilty on 15 charges,
including insulting Islam.
The jury's opinion went to the judge, who issued the verdict and handed it
to Nouri, a middle-ranking cleric.(AP)
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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