By AFSHIN VALINEJAD
The Associated Press
3/5/01 4:38 PM
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- An Iranian Jew who was convicted of spying for Israel was released from prison on Monday after serving a two-year sentence, the first of 10 Jews convicted in the case to be freed.
Ramin Nematizadeh walked out of the prison in Shiraz, capital of the southern Fars province, Iran's official news agency reported.
The 10 Jews were convicted in July. Although his term officially ends on March 17, Nematizadeh was released early because of the Eid
al-Adha, or the Muslim feast of sacrifice, the Islamic Republic News Agency said.
Judicial officials had said they would take into account the time Nematizadeh spent in detention awaiting trial.
Nematizadeh, a shop clerk in his late 20s, confessed in court to gathering military information during his mandatory army service and sending it to Israel. He received the shortest sentence of the 10 convicted Jews.
In September, an appeals court revised the convictions to cooperation with Israel and reduced the original prison sentences, which had ranged from four to 13 years. Nematizadeh's sentence was reduced from four to two years.
Human rights groups have questioned the fairness of the initial trial, which was held behind closed doors, without a jury and with the judge acting as prosecutor.
The United States and Israel, which denies the convicted men were its agents, have called for overturning the convictions.
Iranian Jews are allowed to practice most aspects of their religion freely, but like all Iranians are forbidden any contact with Israel. Teaching Hebrew also is not permitted. About 25,000 Jews live in Iran, making it the Middle Eastern nation with the largest Jewish community outside Israel.
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