Conviction of Iranian lawyers condemned

The United States-based Human Rights Watch has condemned the conviction by a court in Iran of two of the country's leading human rights lawyers on charges of defamation.

The lawyers, Shirin Ebadi and Mohsen Rahami, were accused of producing a video-tape alleging that prominent conservative figures supported the activities of violent right-wing vigilante groups.

The lawyers were given suspended prison sentences of fifteen months each and banned from practising for five years.

The man featured in the tape, Amir Farshad Ebrahimi, was sentenced to two years in jail.

Human Rights Watch says the lawyers should have been given a fair and public trial in accordance with international law. Mr Rahami defended the former Interior Minister and Vice President, Abdullah Noori, who is currently serving a five year prison sentence for dissidence.

Mrs Ebadi, for her part, is well known for her role in championing the rights of women and children.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service