IRAN

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

IRAN

Death Sentence Imposed In Israel Espionage Case

A special Iranian court on Monday sentenced an Iranian businessman to death on charges of spying for Israel, state television said. It was the country's first known conviction for espionage linked to Israel in almost a decade.

Ali Ashtari, 45, an electronics salesman, had a job supplying military, security and defense centers across the country, according to the Web site of Iranian state TV. It quoted an unnamed intelligence official as saying Ashtari "relayed sensitive information" on these centers, and on Iran's atomic energy agency, to Israeli intelligence officers.

An Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev, said officials in Israel had no knowledge of the case.

The Revolutionary Court in Tehran issued the sentence at a time of high tension with Israel over Iran's nuclear program.

BRITAIN

Archbishop Cites Risks

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, battling to avoid an Anglican schism over the issue of gay clergy, warned conservatives on Monday of the risks in setting up an alternative council of bishops.

"How is effective discipline to be maintained in a situation of overlapping and competing jurisdictions?" said the spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans.

At a meeting in Jerusalem, conservative Anglican leaders vowed Sunday to stay in the worldwide Anglican Communion but form a council to provide an alternative to churches they say are preaching a false gospel of sexual immorality.

MALAYSIA

Political Plot Alleged

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Monday that a sodomy accusation brought by a male aide is part of a political conspiracy to keep him from running for Parliament, a key step in his goal of becoming prime minister.

Anwar said he was about to announce plans to contest a by-election but would have to put off a candidacy while dealing with the allegation, which he calls a fabrication.

He had taken refuge at the Turkish Embassy, saying he feared for his life, but emerged Monday evening after the government assured him he was not in danger.

CHINA

Hundreds Held in Riot

Paramilitary police swarmed Weng'an in southwestern China on Monday and detained hundreds of people for allegedly torching police and government buildings Saturday in an outburst of public anger over a suspected police coverup in a teenage girl's rape and murder.

Official vehicles roamed the town with loudspeakers blaring recorded appeals for rioters to turn themselves in as squads of paramilitary police in riot helmets and wielding batons patrolled the streets. Television stations also broadcast warnings to surrender, residents said.

S. Korean Raids Target Protesters

South Korean police raided the offices of civic groups that have led weeks of protests against a government plan to resume U.S. beef imports. Officers confiscated computers and other materials and arrested at least 19 activists.

No Charges for Anti-Koran Film

Dutch legislator Geert Wilders will not be prosecuted for inciting hatred of Muslims with his film denouncing the Koran. Officials said the film, which set off protests in the Muslim world, and Wilders's newspaper writings were hurtful and insulting but not criminal.

From News Services