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Iran MPs to Probe Death of Canadian Journalist

July 27, 2003
AFP
The Peninsula

TEHRAN -- Members of Iran's reformist-led parliament are to investigate the death in custody here of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist, Zahra Kazemi, which has sparked a crisis in Tehran's relations with Ottawa, the student news agency Isna reported yesterday.

The inquiry will be held by a special parliamentary committee which is required under Article 90 of the constitution to give an "appropriate response" when it receives a written complaint against any branch of government, the news agency said.

The ministers of intelligence, interior, culture, health and justice, and Tehran's chief prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi are all expected to appear before the committee when it begins its proceedings Tuesday, Isna added.

Also present will be reformist Vice President Mohammad Abtahi, who on July 16 made the shock admission that Kazemi had died from a brain haemorrhage caused by a blow sustained while in custody, which he blamed on hardliners attempting to undermine the reformist administration.

On Wednesday, an angry Canada recalled its ambassador after Iran rejected its requests for the journalist's body to be repatriated.

Kazemi's death last month following her arrest while photographing protestors outside Tehran's Evin prison has sparked a storm of protest in Canada, particularly among the 250,000-strong Iranian emigre community.

Relations between Tehran and Ottowa have since further deteriorated after Iran drew a parallel with the case of an Iranian killed by Canadian police while brandishing a machete.

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