Seraphim
09-22-2003, 01:02 PM
http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/2003/09/22/kazemi030922
TEHRAN - A judge has charged an Iranian Intelligence Ministry agent with 'semi-premeditated murder' in the killing of Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi.
Kazemi died July 10, after sustaining head injuries while in custody. She had been arrested while taking photographs outside a Tehran jail during student-led protests.
The agent was one of two Intelligence Ministry officials charged earlier this month over Kazemi's death.
An Iranian prosecutor had rejected charges against the two agents and called for further investigations.
"The crime is attributed to one of the (Intelligence Ministry) interrogators and the reasons have been presented in the lawsuit against the accused," according to the statement issued by the prosecutor's office.
Judge Javad Esmaeili, who was heading the independent inquiry into the death, concluded that no government body was behind the crime.
The second agent linked to Kazemi's death was acquitted, according to a statement released Monday by the prosecutor's office.
A Tehran prosecutor had initially said Kazemi died of a stroke. Kazemi's death has created a diplomatic row between Iran and Canada. Ottawa wants her body returned, and has demanded a full and open investigation into her death.
Written by CBC News Online staff
TEHRAN - A judge has charged an Iranian Intelligence Ministry agent with 'semi-premeditated murder' in the killing of Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi.
Kazemi died July 10, after sustaining head injuries while in custody. She had been arrested while taking photographs outside a Tehran jail during student-led protests.
The agent was one of two Intelligence Ministry officials charged earlier this month over Kazemi's death.
An Iranian prosecutor had rejected charges against the two agents and called for further investigations.
"The crime is attributed to one of the (Intelligence Ministry) interrogators and the reasons have been presented in the lawsuit against the accused," according to the statement issued by the prosecutor's office.
Judge Javad Esmaeili, who was heading the independent inquiry into the death, concluded that no government body was behind the crime.
The second agent linked to Kazemi's death was acquitted, according to a statement released Monday by the prosecutor's office.
A Tehran prosecutor had initially said Kazemi died of a stroke. Kazemi's death has created a diplomatic row between Iran and Canada. Ottawa wants her body returned, and has demanded a full and open investigation into her death.
Written by CBC News Online staff