Page:Documents from the Den of Espionage.djvu/115

 Chief Political Section

24 October 1963 P-4/63

CAS

Freedom Movement of Iran Trials

REFERENCES:

NIT 6260, 3 August 1963

NIT-6282, 22 August 1963

NIT-6295, 9 September 1963

The following is for your information and whatever use you wish to make of it within the security limitations designated. Any reporting by you of this information need not cite CAS the source.

1. The government will attempt to sentence the Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI) defendants in the trial from ten to fifteen years in jail. This is said to be at the Shah's wish. (This is from an Iranian intelligence officer (C) with access to reports concerning internal security matters. We consider the information to be reliable. Date of information in 22 October 1963.)

2. The FMI in Tehran would like to stage demonstrations against the trials of the FMI leaders but they are uncertain whether it would be wide to demonstrate since such action might result in the defendants' receiving a stiffer sentence. Thus, the FMI, in coordination with the National Front students abroad, will demonstrate against the trials abroad in order to bring world attention to bear on the trial. (This is from a usually reliable source, from a central council member of the FMI. Date of information is 23 October 1963.)

3. a. the FMI is concerned that the National Front in Iran has washed its hands of the FMI trials. The FMI leaders on trial have asked those on the outside whether they should put up a stiff defense or not. The FMI on the outside is undecided what it should do.

b. Jafar Sharif-Emami has asked the Shah to pardon Habdi Bazargan. Sharif-Emami asked this as ahead of the Engineers Association, of which Bazargan is also a leading member. The Shah told Sharif-Emami that the case against Bazargan was rather grave. Sharif-Emami said, "But your Majesty's compassion is greater." The Shah said he was very busy with foreign visitors at the time but that he would look into the matter. The Shah sent word to Bazargan in prison that he must come and see the Shah and beg the Shah's pardon. Bazargan refused, since this