Iran's hardline judiciary yesterday abruptly ended the trial of a
secret agent charged with murdering a Iranian-Canadian photojournalist, and Canada
recalled its ambassador just hours after the top diplomat and
foreign media were not allowed to attend the trial.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who leads a four-member
legal team representing Zahra Kazemi's mother, walked out of the
courtroom in protest and threatened to take the case to
international organizations.
Canadian Ambassador Philip Mackinnon and other diplomats, clearly outraged, left
the building after waiting for more than 90 minutes outside
the courthouse, standing in the sun as proceedings continued inside.
"I am disappointed but not surprised by this flagrant denial
of due process. Ambassador MacKinnon will be returning to Canada
immediately,'' Foreign Minister Bill Graham said in a statement.
It was not clear when a verdict would be issued
in the case, which has strained ties with Canada. Source.
Bookmark mackaycartoons.net
