2 More Iranian Jews Say They Spied; Trial Criticism Persists

Two more Iranian Jews said Wednesday that they spied for Israel, bringing to three the number of defendants who have confessed to espionage in a trial that has attracted international concern.

Defense lawyers for the 13 Jews on trial questioned the validity of the confessions and criticized the court, in which the judge also acts as prosecutor. Israel condemned the latest confessions as “loathsome.” It denies that any of the defendants are spies.

The provincial judiciary chief, Hossein Ali Amiri, told reporters that the three who confessed to spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence service “were driven by financial and religious motivations.”

If convicted, the defendants could be sentenced to death, the maximum penalty for passing secret information that damages national security. Two Jews were hanged three years ago on similar charges.

But Amiri added, “All I can predict is that their sentences may not be execution.” He said their young age would be taken into account.

In the latest confessions, Shahrokh Paknahad, 30, a religion teacher, and Ramin Nematizadeh, 27, a shop clerk, told the court they had spied for Israel. The first defendant to confess, Hamid Tefilin, a shoe salesman, told reporters outside the court that he was under no duress when he confessed Monday. He was shown on state TV saying he had received espionage training in Israel.

Paknahad told reporters he was a ringleader who helped set up a spy network. Defense lawyer Esmail Naseri said Nematizadeh told the court he had given defense information, gathered during his mandatory military service, to his Israeli superiors.