Two more Iranian Jews confess to espionage

May 2, 2000
Web posted at: 10:42 p.m. EDT (0242 GMT)

From Correspondent Kasra Naji

SHIRAZ, Iran (CNN) -- Two more of the 13 Iranian Jews accused in Tehran of spying for Israel confessed on Wednesday, according to Iranian television.

Earlier this week, when the trial of the 13 began, another defendant -- the alleged ringleader, Hamid "Dani" Tefilin -- confessed to the espionage charges.

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The two, Ramin Nematizadeh and Shahrokh Paknahad, appeared on Iranian television after their court appearance on Wednesday to detail their roles in the alleged spying.

Nematizadeh said that he had managed to enter certain military establishments under cover and prepare maps of the two facilities, which he passed on to Israel.

Paknahad also said he had passed some military intelligence to his superior in Iran.

Iranian Jewish boys pray at the Rabeezadeh Synagogue in Shiraz, southern Iran, on Tuesday

Defense attorneys told CNN's Kasra Naji that the three defendants told them they had decided on their own to confess.

The attorneys argued that the acts committed by the defendants did not constitute espionage because the information they stole was not classified. Barring any information to the contrary, said lead attorney Esmail Nasseri, the confessions were not sufficient for a conviction.

"It is true that the suspects confessed to being spies and to going to Israel and to receiving money, but did the information they gave the Israelis consist of secrets?" said Nasseri. "We believe not, because the judge is not showing any documentation or proof that secret material was handed over. ... If the court believes otherwise, it should show us the evidence."

Israel has denied any connection to the 13 Iranian Jews.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Human Rights Watch
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Mohammad Khatami: President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Cambridge University Press: Iran factbook
Stanford University Report: Tehran

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