INFLUENTIAL WEEKLY "ASR MA" UNDER JUDICIARY’S GUILLOTINE
TEHRAN 24 Apr. (IPS) The trial of Mr. Mohammad Salamati, Managing Editor of weekly "Asr Ma" (Our Age) could be a prelude to the closure of the magazine and probably the ban on the activities of Islamic Revolution’s Mujahedeen Organisation (IRMO), one of President Mohammad Khatami’s strongest ally.
Starting the trial, Judge Sa’id Mortazavi, better known as the "butcher" of the reformist press and journalists, cited the leader-controlled "Voice and Visage of the Islamic Republic" (Iranian Radio and Television), the Police, the Joint Staff of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the Police Security Department, all organs under the direct command of Mr. Ali Khameneh'i, and a journalist, Ali Hassanpanah as well as the Public Prosecutor as some of those having lodged complaints with the Press Court against the weekly.
Mr. Salamati who is also the secretary-general of IRMO, an influential and important member of the Second Khordad Coalition (SKC) that support the reforms promised by the embattled President during his electoral campaign.
Iranian political analysts said experience shows that when a paper, a person or an organisation faces such heavy charges, it means closure, arrest or ban on activities.
Mr. Ali Yari, a lawyer for the VVIR said by accusing the organisation of being a commercial entity and describing the VVIR as being "part of conspiracy against the reformers", the weekly has in fact "harmed the prestige of State-run Radio and Television.
"The weekly had incited public opinion by accusing the VVIR of being biased and He said that the weekly has made every effort to present the radio and present the organisation as opponent of the reform camp and the sixth Majles (parliament).
Confirming that point, observers reminded that not latter than two days ago, Tehran Radio, in a harsh commentary, supported claims raised by the leader-controlled Judiciary against islamist-nationalists and the Iran Freedom Movement, condemning them for alleged "conspiracy" and "plans to topple" the Islamic Republic.
Like the Judiciary, the Iranian Radio and Television play an instrumental role in the leader-inspired policy of crackdown on the reformists, as shown by the "scenario" it run during the now famous "Berlin Conference" saga.
Showing carefully edited shots of anti-regime scenes from the three-days Conference held in Berlin on April 2000 to debate the future of reform process in Iran, the VVIR provided all the necessary tools for the conservatives to shut down all but few independent and reformist press and imprison a dozen of influential journalists and editors as well as tens of leading dissident political, intellectual, scholars, islamist reformers and lawyers.
Mr. Salamati challenged VVIR's complaint and said that opinion poll showing the organisation enjoys 82 percent of the public trust is not valid unless conducted by an impartial agency.
The lawyer for the VVIR had accused "Asr Ma" for an article stating that Iranians do not trust the official broadcasting.
Responding to charges made against him by the Police and the IRGC, Salamati, using a very friendly attitude, observed that he is "faithful" to the Islamic Republic and did not conceal that the weekly wanted to challenge the biased reports, according to IRNA.
Last year, the weekly had also accused the IRGC of preparing the ground for military coup against President Khatami after the Guars Commander General Yahya Rahim Safavi had threatened that he would "cut tongues and broke feet" of dissidents opposed to the Islamic Republic or criticises the leader.
In a more conciliatory tone, Mr. Salamati's lawyer told the court that since his client has a record of service to the Islamic Republic, he deserves to be pardoned and cleared of the charges, even if any mistakes were made.
The IRMO was established in Iran in 1980 after the victory of the Islamic Revolution through merger of several militia groups who fought against the former regime.
Analysts explained that by adopting a soft attitude, both Mr. Salamati and his lawyer were in fact trying to prevent the closure of the weekly just weeks before the next presidential elections, scheduled for 8 of June.
Under directives from Mr. Khameneh'i, the conservative-dominated courts have closed down some 40 publications, mostly pro-reform, on charges of various charges, ranging from "insulting Islam, offending the leader, propaganda against the State or disparaging Islamic and the religious elements of the Islamic Revolution etc."
On Saturday, the press court had jailed Mr. Amid Na’ini, the Editor of the banned "Payam Emrooz" and a leading secularist journalist known for his professionalism, hours after being summoned by Judge Mortazavi.
As usual, the Judiciary gave no convincing reason for his arrest, but Mr. Mortazavi claimed that the journalist was arrested following complaints from an unidentified State Prosecutor, accusing Mr.Na’ini of insulting Islam and questioning the fate’s basic canons.
Meanwhile, Managing-Director of reformist daily "Hambsategi" (Solidarity), Mr. Gholamheidar Ebrahimbai-Salami has been summoned to appear in an administrative court, the Iranian Students News Agency "ISNA" said Sunday.
Last October, Ebrahimbai-Salami who is also reformist MM (Member of the Majles) was summoned to clarify certain matters in court. ENDS SALAMATI SUMMONED 24401.