-Caveat Lector- Iran Leader Says Doubters of Islam May Face Death TEHRAN, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that anyone questioning basic Islamic principles could face execution, after a newspaper advocated more liberal laws on capital punishment in Iran. "If anyone denies Islamic principles, including the Islamic law of retribution, then this person is an apostate and the sentence of an apostate is evident under Islam," state television quoted Khamenei as saying. Islamic laws usually require that apostates be sentenced to death. Khamenei was reacting to recent articles in the moderate daily Neshat which advocated a more liberal interpretation of Iran's Islamic laws, saying the law of retribution did not necessarily demand capital punishment. "It is a clear example of inciting unrest when a newspaper doubts Islam's fundamental principles, including the law of retribution," Khamenei added. The articles by Neshat, an outspoken newspaper backing moderate President Mohammad Khatami, have drawn heavy criticism from conservatives and hardliners who accused it of anti-Islamic propaganda. "The publication of 100 newspapers instead of 20 is not objectionable but one cannot accept that certain persons use public resources to write things against national interests with such malice," Iran's news agency IRNA quoted Khamenei as saying. He was speaking to military officials and personnel during a visit to the northeastern province of Khorasan. Dozens of new publications have been launched under greater press liberties introduced by Khatami since his election in 1997. But a number of reformist newspapers have been closed down by conservative-led courts for violating Islamic principles. Khamenei is widely seen to be close to conservatives who oppose Khatami's social and political reforms, but the supreme leader often stands above factional disputes. Copyright 1999 Reuters.All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ================================= Robert F. Tatman [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Remove "nospam" from the address to reply. NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml POSTING THIS MESSAGE TO THE INTERNET DOES NOT IMPLY PERMISSION TO SEND UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL E-MAIL (SPAM) TO THIS OR ANY OTHER INTERNET ADDRESS. RECEIPT OF SPAM WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION OF THE SENDER'S ISP. ____________________________________________________________________ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
