NEWS: Iran Clears Agent Accused of Kazemi�s Killing: Update, page 1

posted on Jul, 24 2004 @ 07:19 PM

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Qasem Shabani, lawyer for Intelligence Ministry agent Mohammad Reza Aqdam whose trial for the killing of Canadien-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi ended abruptly last week, said his client has been acquitted of the charges.
It is unknown if Kazemi's family's lawyers will pursue further charges. This is a continuing of an ATS thread by Gools and can be found linked at the bottom of the story.

www.dailytimes.com.pk
TEHRAN: An Iranian court has acquitted an intelligence agent who was charged with the �semi-intentional murder� of Canadian-Iranian journalist Zahra Kazemi who died in custody last year, the man�s lawyer said on Saturday.

�I was informed by reliable official sources at the judiciary that he has been acquitted,� Qasem Shabani, lawyer for Intelligence Ministry agent Mohammad Reza Aqdam, told Reuters.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The victim was arrested after taking photos in an Iranian prison and died after being interrogated, the death originally determined "natural", was later changed after an inquiry found that she died as a result of a cracked skull.

Iranian Court Clears Agent in Death of Journalist
Iranian court acquits man charged in murder of Canadian photojournalist

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Canada Flexes Diplomatic Muscle

[edit on 25-7-2004 by Banshee]

[edit on 7/28/04 by JacKatMtn]

AlexofSkye

posted on Jul, 24 2004 @ 11:30 PM

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I sincerely hope that my government sends every Iranian diplomat in Canada packing. And then follows up by proposing a well deserved UN resolution condemning Iran's lying about its nuclear intentions. We all (i.e., the rest of the world) need to do something about that before its too late.

shoo

posted on Jul, 25 2004 @ 11:11 AM

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Originally posted by AlexofSkye
Iran's lying about its nuclear intentions.

You better forward all information you have about this to your government agencies. Because THEY don't have any proof and just assumptions.
Good to have some ATS people with first hand knowledge

Irony was cheap today.

JacKatMtn

posted on Jul, 25 2004 @ 11:49 AM

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Now an article documenting threats of sanctions and taking this to the International Court of Justice. Canada is withholding comment at the time being..

Iran faced with threats of world court, sanctions over Kazemi verdict

TEHRAN : Iran was threatened with international legal proceedings and possible Canadian sanctions after its hardline judiciary acquitted the sole defendant accused of the killing in custody of Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi.

The Iranian judiciary said the intelligence agent who stood trial for the murder had been found not guilty due to "lack of proof" and declared itself unable to find the real killer.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

AlexofSkye

posted on Jul, 25 2004 @ 07:28 PM

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FYI, when Canada withdrew its embassador a couple of weeks ago, our Foreign Affairs minister was visibly angry about the situation - a most unusual state for a Canadian diplomat! However, we have since had a cabinet shuffle and as a result, a new Foreign Affairs minister. But I believe our government continues to take this seriously, and I'd expect more action from the Canadian government in the next few days. If not, I'll be very disappointed.

JacKatMtn

posted on Jul, 26 2004 @ 07:25 AM

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Keeping up with this controversial story, the Iranian government has volunteered to help find the killer(s) of photo-journalist Zahra Kazemi.
The reformist-government is in conflict with the hardline-judiciary who have offered "blood money" payment of roughly $14,000 for the victim's family.

Iran gov't says ready to find journalist's killer
TEHRAN, July 26 (Reuters) - Iran's reformist government on Monday volunteered to help the hardline judiciary find out who killed a Canadian journalist who died in custody last year after being struck on the head.

The judiciary on Saturday acquitted an Intelligence Ministry agent accused of killing Kazemi and moved to close the case, prompting protests from Ottawa, human rights groups and lawyers representing Kazemi's family who want the case re-opened.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The Canadiens have pulled their Diplomat and are threatening sanctions.

JacKatMtn

posted on Jul, 28 2004 @ 07:43 AM

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Another twist to this story , now Iranian justice ministry claiming Ms. Kazemi died accidently, and attributed it to a loss of blood pressure caused by her hunger strike. The ministry also blasted the reform government for making irresponsible statements to sway public opinion. Canada is seeking the help of the EU and the United Nations to bring about a resolution to this case.

Iran custody death cause disputed
Iran's hard-line judiciary has claimed the death of journalist Zahra Kazemi in custody may have been an accident.

A statement said Ms Kazemi died from a drop in blood pressure resulting from a hunger strike and a fall, and was not beaten to death.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

JacKatMtn

posted on Jul, 29 2004 @ 10:56 AM

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Iran's judiciary latest attempt to explain the death of Ms. Kazemi isn't convincing
many according to this article....

Who are mullahs of Iran trying to fool?
In Ottawa, Foreign Affairs flatly rejected the notion Kazemi died after a fall.

"The new theory being advanced by the Iranian judiciary has no credibility and hardly deserves to be dignified with any comment," said spokesperson Reynald Doiron.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Gools

posted on Jul, 29 2004 @ 11:03 AM

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Thanks for all the updates JacKatMtn!!

You obviously have more time than me for following this story. Nice to have dedicated reporters.

JacKatMtn

posted on Jul, 29 2004 @ 01:10 PM

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Shirin Ebadi, accuses top officials of covering up the alleged murder of Kazemi in this article...

Ebadi Accuses Top Officials of Murder Cover-Up
TEHRAN, 29 July 2004 � Iran�s Nobel laureate and human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi yesterday renewed her accusation that top officials in Iran�s hard-line judiciary had covered up the murder in custody of Canadian-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi.

A statement from the Nobel Peace Prize-winner and her team of lawyers who are representing Kazemi�s enraged family also urged the head of the Islamic republic�s judiciary to allow an independent probe into the controversial case.

The statement came after the judiciary claimed Kazemi�s death last July may have been an accident and not due to a beating. �We are insisting that the head of the judiciary appoint a special independent inquirer who is outside the supervision of the prosecution,� it said. �There is proof, including the statements of a number of witnesses present at the scene, saying a high-ranking official in Evin prison gave Zahra Kazemi a very strong punch to the left side of her head, breaking her skull,� it added.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

AlexofSkye

posted on Jul, 29 2004 @ 07:24 PM

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I wanted to return to the subject of Iran's lying about its nuclear intentions. How does one "prove" an intention? The evidence may be circumstantial, but is extremely strong.

1. Well, we know the Iranian goverment is staffed with bare-faced liars. Just look at the Kazemi case.
2. A nuclear program well in excess of that needed for "peaceful" purposes.
3. The extremist tendencies of the Iranian government are so well documented, I will present it as a given.
4. As for informing any governments, my ability to do so pales beside what they already know. For more information, go to NCI. You'll find lots of information on nuclear proliferation.

JacKatMtn

posted on Aug, 14 2004 @ 10:47 AM

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Lawyers Appealing Kazemi Case in Iran......

Lawyers appeal verdict in slaying of Canadian photojournalist
(AP) - Lawyers representing the mother of an Iranian-Canadian photojournalist who was murdered in prison have appealed a court verdict that acquitted the only defendant and have demanded that top officials be summoned as witnesses, a lawyer said Saturday.

"We appealed on Wednesday and expect the appeals court to invite Tehran prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi and Iran's Information Minister Ali Yunesi as witnesses when it reviews Zahra Kazemi's case," said Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a member of a legal team representing the victim's mother.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

flashburn

posted on Aug, 14 2004 @ 11:42 AM

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Iran seems to be digging itself into a pit of it's own stupidity.

flashburn

posted on Aug, 14 2004 @ 11:44 AM

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They must be trying to piss everybody off.

[edit on 14-8-2004 by flashburn]