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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Iranian court reopens Kazemi case | Iranian court reopens Kazemi case |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Iran's Supreme Court has ordered a new investigation into the death of the Iranian-Canadian photojournalist, Zahra Kazemi, while in custody in 2003. | Iran's Supreme Court has ordered a new investigation into the death of the Iranian-Canadian photojournalist, Zahra Kazemi, while in custody in 2003. |
| Judiciary spokesman Ali Reza Jamshidi said the court had objected to the acquittal in 2004 of an intelligence agent accused of beating her to death. | Judiciary spokesman Ali Reza Jamshidi said the court had objected to the acquittal in 2004 of an intelligence agent accused of beating her to death. |
| He said judges had "found some formal flaws" in previous investigations. | He said judges had "found some formal flaws" in previous investigations. |
| Kazemi, 54, died in Tehran in July 2003 having received head injuries during more than three days of interrogation. | Kazemi, 54, died in Tehran in July 2003 having received head injuries during more than three days of interrogation. |
| She was arrested on 23 June 2003 while taking photographs outside Evin prison in the north of the capital, but was never formally charged with any offence. | She was arrested on 23 June 2003 while taking photographs outside Evin prison in the north of the capital, but was never formally charged with any offence. |
| The case severely strained relations between the Canadian and Iranian governments. | The case severely strained relations between the Canadian and Iranian governments. |
| 'Objection' | 'Objection' |
| An Iranian presidential inquiry initially conducted into the journalist's death found that Kazemi had been killed by a "physical attack" while being held in custody in June 2003. | |
| The verification branch found some formal flaws and had an objection regarding the jurisdiction of the court that dealt with the case Ali Reza JamshidiIranian judiciary spokesman | |
| In September 2003, the judiciary charged an intelligence ministry agent, Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi, with "semi-intentional murder". He pleaded not guilty at the opening of his trial a month later. | In September 2003, the judiciary charged an intelligence ministry agent, Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi, with "semi-intentional murder". He pleaded not guilty at the opening of his trial a month later. |
| Mr Ahmadi was eventually acquitted in July 2004 "due to lack of sufficient evidence", a ruling that prompted the judiciary to conclude that Kazemi's head injuries had been the result of a fall caused by a drop in blood pressure brought on by a hunger strike. | Mr Ahmadi was eventually acquitted in July 2004 "due to lack of sufficient evidence", a ruling that prompted the judiciary to conclude that Kazemi's head injuries had been the result of a fall caused by a drop in blood pressure brought on by a hunger strike. |
| In July 2005, a higher court rejected an appeal to investigate the death, saying it had no jurisdiction to reopen the case. | In July 2005, a higher court rejected an appeal to investigate the death, saying it had no jurisdiction to reopen the case. |
| However, four months later an appeals court ordered the case to be reopened and upheld Mr Ahmadi's acquittal. | However, four months later an appeals court ordered the case to be reopened and upheld Mr Ahmadi's acquittal. |
| Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Jamshidi said the verification branch of Iran's Supreme Court had reviewed the lower courts' rulings and ordered a new investigation to be undertaken by the judiciary. | Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Jamshidi said the verification branch of Iran's Supreme Court had reviewed the lower courts' rulings and ordered a new investigation to be undertaken by the judiciary. |
| "The verification branch found some formal flaws and had an objection regarding the jurisdiction of the court that dealt with the case," he said. | "The verification branch found some formal flaws and had an objection regarding the jurisdiction of the court that dealt with the case," he said. |
| "The file has been sent to the competent authority for investigation." | "The file has been sent to the competent authority for investigation." |
| Canada has repeatedly demanded that Iran agree to an international investigation into the journalist's death. | Canada has repeatedly demanded that Iran agree to an international investigation into the journalist's death. |