Iranian Government Investigation Committee: Zahra Kazemi Died Due to Physical Assault - 2003-07-21

An Iranian government investigation committee states that the Iranian-Canadian journalist who died in custody earlier this month passed away due to physical assault. The report published today by the Iranian state news agency indicates that Zahra Kazemi died from a blow to her skull, resulting in a brain hemorrhage. The findings of this investigation, ordered by President Mohammad Khatami, were supposed to be released on Monday. Previously, a prominent reformist legislator had claimed that the Iranian-Canadian photographer died from fatal blows inflicted by government interrogators. Mohsen Armin, a reformist representative, made this accusation today during a parliamentary speech broadcast on state radio. He stated that Zahra Kazemi had told the police before her death that Tehran prosecutor's officials had beaten her during interrogation. This 54-year-old Iranian-Canadian died on July 11, nearly two weeks after being detained while photographing the notorious Evin prison. Ms. Kazemi was transferred to the hospital three days after her detention and remained in a coma until her death. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien had called on Iran last week to disclose the facts surrounding the death of this photojournalist. He stated that if her death resulted from a criminal act, Canada demands that Iran identify and prosecute those responsible.