IRAN: Tensions simmered in Iran yesterday over a death sentence on a popular liberal academic. A leading reformist said he would soon be freed as students gathered for their largest protest in years.
Parliamentary speaker Mr Mehdi Karubi said Mr Hashem Aghajari, a critic of the conservative clergy's leading role in the Islamic republic, would be released shortly. It was unclear whether he was speaking from personal conviction or some deal had been done.
Mr Aghajari (45), who teaches history at Tehran University, was arrested in August and sentenced to death for apostasy and insulting the leaders of early Islam.
He called in a speech for a reform of Iran's state Shia religion and said Muslims were not "monkeys" to blindly follow the teachings of senior clerics.
The close ally of reformist President Mohammed Khatami, he was also sentenced to eight years in jail, 74 lashes and a 10-year ban on teaching.
His sentences have not yet been officially conveyed to the defence. There is a 20-day period during which appeals can be lodged.
Mr Karubi claimed the sentencing of Mr Aghajari last Wednesday was "the decision of a single judge". In an open letter, 178 deputies voiced their support yesterday for Mr Karubi. At Tehran University some 1,200 students, about half of them women, gathered inside a lecture hall to denounce "the medieval verdict". - (AFP)