Iran to look again at journalist's death

November 28, 2007

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A new investigation into the death of an imprisoned Canadian news photographer in 2003 has been ordered by Iran's Supreme Court.

Zahra Kazemi, who was 54, was arrested while taking pictures outside the Evin prison in Tehran and died in jail. Initially the government said she had suffered a stroke, then later said she had fallen and struck her head. Eventually a committee said an intelligence agent had struck her a fatal blow.

The agent was tried and acquitted, which led to strained diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran, a New York Times correspondent reported from Tehran.

Tuesday, judicial spokesman Alireza Jamshidi said the high court had reviewed the case and wasn't satisfied, Iran's ISNA news agency reported.

"The Supreme Court found flaws," Jamshidi said. "It has sent the case to a new court for investigation."

Toronto lawyer John Terry, who represents the Kazemi family, told the Times the family wasn't celebrating the news.

"We have very low expectations," he said. "We have no indications that this is part of some reform push or transparency push that wants to get to the heart of the matter."
// Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Moldova

Iran to look again at journalist's death