Iran's reformist parliament accused the hardline judiciary...

Iran's reformist parliament accused the hardline judiciary of a cover-up in the case of the Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, who died in July 2003 from a blow to the head while in custody. Its inquiry commission concluded that the chief prosecutor of Tehran and other officials coerced witnesses, tampered with documents and kept Kazemi in detention without sufficient evidence. Kazemi was arrested for taking photographs outside Evin prison, Tehran, where many political prisoners were held. Although she was accused of espionage, the authorities failed to produce any evidence, Jamileh Kadivar told fellow MPs. "Her detention was illegal, and this is punishable according to the Islamic penal law. The judge who ordered her arrested should be prosecuted." The head of the commission, Hussein Ansarirad, said a second report would be issued soon, naming the murderers and others involved. The judiciary denied responsibility for the death and has indicted an intelligence ministry agent for taking part in a "quasi-intentional murder".