§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the conviction of members of the Jewish community in Shiraz, Iran. [129270]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 6 July 2000]: We are deeply concerned at the news of the sentences imposed on 1 July on 10 Jewish and two Muslim defendants tried for espionage in Shiraz. We and our EU partners have consistently raised our concerns about the conduct of the trial, in particular at its closed nature, despite earlier 342W assurances to the contrary. We note that provision is made for appeal to the Shiraz Revolutionary Court within 20 days of sentencing, and if need be, to the Supreme Court. We will continue to follow proceedings closely and will register our concerns with the Iranian authorities.