Iran: June 19, 2001

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A member of parliament was sentenced to 13 months in prison by a court controlled by religious conservatives. The legislator was in trouble for complaining about arbitrary actions against critics of the courts. Members of Parliament are supposed to be immune from prosecution for anything they say. Journalists, or anyone who exposes or criticizes the clergy are subject to arrest and conviction. Most of the courts are dominated by religious conservatives and are independent of the elected officials. This is a principal cause of  anger among the population. The unelected religious conservative court and police officials are much feared and hated.