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Copyright © 2002-2003

Site information:
webadmin@westerndefense.org
Tehran Times, Iran, 28 July 2002
Summary of report by Tehran Times political desk

Yesterday, Branch 21 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court banned the Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI) and all its affiliated associations and declared their activities illegal. It sentenced 33 of its members to prison terms and fined eight others.

The court sentenced 21 FMI executive officials to prison terms ranging from nine months to 10 years and 12 others to between four months and two years. All were fined 10 million to 30 million rials ($1,250 to $3,750). Eight more FMI activists were fined $1,250-$6,250. Eleven FMI members were acquitted. The court announced that 21 executive members of the FMI had been stripped of their political rights for ten years, as stipulated in Article 62 of the Islamic Penal Code. They have also been banned from membership in all political parties and associations during this period.

The court found the FMI guilty of establishing and running an illegal association with the intent of toppling the Islamic system, and seeking to unite dissident individuals and opposition groups who had served long prison terms for committing security offenses against Iran.

The FMI was also found guilty of forming a coalition of "religious nationalists" intending to topple the Islamic system, participating in conferences and meetings of opposition groups outside the country, and establishing links with foreign diplomats and political figures to solicit support for their efforts against the regime.

Moreover, the FMI was convicted of spreading propaganda against the Islamic system by preparing and distributing flyers, making statements and speeches, and attempting to spread lies and incite public opinion. Several FMI members were convicted of possessing arms and ammunition, drugs and classified government documents. They were also convicted of trying to create a sense of disillusionment among Iranian youth and insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini.

The court regarded the documented data obtained in the case and the confessions of defendants as concrete proof that 'the so-called Freedom Movement of Iran' (FMI) is an avid advocate of Iran's dependence on the United States and spared no effort to attain this objective. It pretends to be pious in order to mislead the youth.

Note: The position of the Khamenei faction that has ruled Iran since Khomeini died appears to be weakening, but President Khatami, whom the West expected to become the center of influence in the country, has proved a broken reed. It may require outside intervention to set off a successful revolution against the mullahs.
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