NEWS RELEASES

September 26, 2000

CANADA EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER

APPEAL DECISIONS IN IRAN ESPIONAGE TRIAL

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today expressed Canada's concern over the results of the appeals process that followed the July conviction and sentencing of 14 Iranian citizens charged by their government with spying for Israel.

On September 21, the Shiraz Court of Appeal announced sentence reductions of two to six years for 10 of the 13 Jewish defendants, resulting in prison terms of two to nine years for each individual. No announcement has been made on the appeals of the two Muslims convicted on the same charges.

Canada believes that the original trials were seriously flawed given that they were closed to the public, and that the defendants were held without access to lawyers for one year and had only limited contact with their families during their incarceration. Following the first sentencing, Canada called on the Government of Iran to allow for greater openness and transparency in the appeals process.

"While the appeals process did reduce the original sentences, it did not address the flaws and irregularities that characterized the original trials," said Mr. Axworthy. "This further undermines the international community's confidence in Iran's judicial system at an important juncture in the country's social and economic development."

The Minister also noted that Canada would continue to closely monitor developments in Iran.

Since the election of President Khatami in 1997, Iran has made progress in instituting key elements of a far-reaching political reform program. However, the closure of all reform newspapers, the arrest of journalists, the blockage of Parliamentary efforts to pass a liberalized press law and recent attacks on a student conference demonstrate that the reform movement is facing serious domestic challenges.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874