A Daily Briefing on Iran: Saturday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 7.9.2005:

Ebadi says Zarafshan on medical leave from prison

Islamic Republic News Agency:

Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi said here Saturday that her client Nasser Zarafshan is on leave from prison for treatment of kidney stones.

"Right now he is on convalescence after surgery. My client during this period, which will not be short, will be on leave from prison," Ebadi, who is one of the Zarafshan's attorneys, added. ...

Zarafshan who was the attorney for the serial murder case was detained in August 2002 on charges of divulging state secrets and sentenced to five years in prison and 70 lashes.

Judiciary Spokesman Jamal Karimirad said ... On the latest conditions of the jailed dissident Akbar Ganji, he added that the news on deteriorating health of Ganji is not true. ... "Ganji had refused to see the two doctors sent to examine him." Also, he said he has been in talks with Ganji's wife and attorney to facilitate dispatching Ganji to a hospital which has not occurred yet. READ MORE

A demonstration calling for Ganji's release has been scheduled for Tuesday.

July 9th Update: I have heard of a few successful demonstrations in Tehran and other cities. I will publish more soon.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

Nick Cohen, The Guardian said, We all know who was to blame for Thursday's murders... and it wasn't Bush and Blair. A power warning to the liberal elite.
Men's News Daily said that the Islamic terrorists can take down a building, bomb a train, and kill and maim innocent people and that the Islamic Republic of Iran has continued to finance and sustain terror groups throughout the world.
Amir Taheri, Aawsat discussed the new face of Iran and the West's great misunderstanding.
Farah Pahlavi published an English translation of a message of solidarity with the Iranian people.
CNN sees Iran as a land of contradictions.
Iran Press Service examined a few of Iran's President Elect challenges.
Roozonline examined the recent cold reception the Europeans gave to Iranian representatives.
The U.S. State Department published the G8 Statement on Iran.
The Times UK reported Netanyahu said concerted action was required to rein in Iran, not least because of its links with Islamic terrorist groups.
World Net Daily reported on how Condi scuttled EU-Iran agreement.
Roger Scruton, The Times UK said, In dealing with terrorism you are confronting a resentment that is not concerned to improve the lot of anyone, but only to destroy the thing it hates.
Freethoughts reminded us of the July 9th, 1999 crackdown in Iran.
Gooya News reported that more than 380 intellectuals and scholars called for a demonstration next Tuesday, to press the Islamic government to release Akbar Ganji and other political prisoners.
Jewish Journal lamented that during Bush’s tenure, the movement for reform and liberty in Iran has waned.
Miami Herald reported that a Basij Forces Commander was named as new Iran police chief.
SMCCDI reported a scheduled demonstration at Tehran University did not happen. The regime had sent all students home and surrounded the University with security forces.