The prosecution in Tehran's revolutionary court asked Thursday for a death sentence against a former communist, Khalil Rostam-Khani, 47, who is alleged to have organized an "anti-Islamic" conference in Berlin in April.
Prosecutor Abdollah Sharifi said Rostam-Khani should be sentenced under article 186 of Iran's penal code which prescribes the death penalty for "waging war on God."
He is accused of being a militant in a communist organization, receiving and disseminating leaflets and statements of overseas groups and taking part in the Berlin conference, which threatened state security.
He is one of a number of people, including reformist allies of President Mohammed Khatami, on trial over the Berlin seminar, which enraged conservatives.
A translator for the German embassy in Tehran was formally charged in court Monday with "waging war against God," state television reported.
Said Sadr, a one-time communist and opponent of the former imperial regime, was also accused of helping to stage the conference and distributing "counter-revolutionary" propaganda in Iran that he had allegedly received by diplomatic pouch – TEHRAN (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
