Judge Mohammad Reza Aqiqi of the Tehran military court...

Judge Mohammad Reza Aqiqi of the Tehran military court gave death penalty to Ali Roshani, Mahamoud Jafarzadeh and Ali Mohseni three former government agents for the murder of two elderly nationalists, Darioush and his wife Parvaneh Forouhar, and two writers, Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad Jafar Pouyandeh, in 1998. Judge Aqiqi said there was a hit list of up to 40 intended victims. This seems to support the view long held in Iran's reformist camp that the four murders were part of a planned drive by conservatives to stifle dissent. The Intelligence Ministry said the men were rogue agents who eliminated enemies of the regime on orders from immediate superiors, without the knowledge of those higher up. The death sentences must be upheld by the Supreme Court before becoming effective. Ali Roshani was sentenced to death twice.