Salamati's Lawyer: Court Unqualified
Iran Daily: "Salamati's Lawyer: Court UnqualifiedMohammad Salamati
TEHRAN, Jan. 12--A reformist politician was in court Wednesday to face charges of spreading lies and distorting public opinion.
The trial was held at Branch 76 of Tehran Criminal Court, ISNA reported.
Taking the stand, Secretary of Islamic Revolution's Mujahideen Organization Mohammad Salamati, also a former MP, rejected the accusations. He noted that all his actions and words have had one objective; to clarify social conditions, a duty he said was inherent of a political group.
Terming the court as unqualified, Salamati's defense lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, also criticized the way trials are held for political offices.
"Absence of a press jury in political cases is against Article 168 of the constitution," he said.
Nikbakht added that according to Article 698 of the Islamic Penal Law, a person should stand trial on the charge of spreading lies only if the complaint has been filed by a private entity.
"Therefore, the complaint by Tehran Prosecutor General lacks legality," he said.
Nikbakht said his client should be cleared of all charges, in view of his revolutionary and official background"
posted by JBOC @ 12:57 PM
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