Iran's judiciary admitted Sunday that its decision last month to brand public support for talks with the United States a criminal offence was based on a rumor.
Deputy chief justice Hadi Marvi, quoted by the official IRNA news agency, said "a rumor went round that the National Security Council intended to ban discussions with the United States.".
That prompted the courts to make illegal all talk of opening discussions with Washington "based on this rumor and with the goal of defending the ... National Security Council," he added.
The council, headed by liberal-minded President Mohammad Khatami, groups Iran's government and military.
Back in May, the reformist press and leading pro-reform parliament members said secret talks had taken place between Washington and key Iranian government figures, including former president and conservative stalwart Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. They demanded that details be revealed.
However, the government strongly denied the reports and Iran's conservative judiciary announced on May 27 that any support in the media for negotiations with the United States would be considered a "criminal offence". (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
