Iran/France - Reiss trial

French researcher accused of spying appears in Tehran court

Article published on the 2009-11-17 Latest update 2009-11-17 13:49 TU

Clotilde Reiss in her first court hearing, 8 August 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Clotilde Reiss, the 24-year-old French researcher accused by Iran of spying and provoking riots following the 12 June presidential election, appeared in a Revolutionary court Tuesday for her second trial date. She has been staying in the French embassy in Tehran since being released on bail after her first court appearance in August.

"She appeared before the judge and then came out and returned to the embassy," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bernard Valero in Paris.

The court did not make any decision on the charges against her, and French officials say she could be called for another court appearance.

Reiss’s father, Remi Reiss, told French television that he spoke to his daughter by phone after the hearing, and he was optimistic about the outcome of the trial.

"She is very pleased because the hearing took place in a much more positive atmosphere than that of the first appearance," he said.

There were doubts about whether or not Reiss would actually appear in court, as France had demanded guarantees that she would not be sent to jail if she left the embassy.

Iran offered no guarantees, calling the French demands unjustified.

Reiss was arrested on 1 July after taking photos of protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Isfahan, in central Iran, following the elections, and sending them to people in France.

She had just finished a six-month teaching assignment there, and was one of dozens of journalists and opposition supporters jailed in a government crackdown on protesters around the country.

If convicted, she faces several years in prison. Until now only Iranians have been convicted for their participation in the demonstrations, some of whom have been sentenced to death.