TORONTO, July 20, 2004 --  With the trial of a secret agent accused of murdering Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi having abruptly ended this past weekend, and with the prosecutor having ordered Iranian newspapers to censor parts of the trial, Canada’s diplomatic relations with Iran have become increasingly strained – again.

 

York University political science professor Saeed Rahnema, a leading expert on the region, can comment on the Iranian judicial system, the conflict between the country’s hardliners and reformers, and what it all means for future diplomatic relations.

-30-

 

For additional experts or to arrange an interview, media should contact:

Ken Turriff, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 / kturriff@yorku.ca

 

YU/104/04