Shiraz - Lawyers for 13 Iranian Jews on trial for espionage said yesterday that their clients had admitted passing material to Israel. But they challenged the state to prove the information was classified, which would make the accused spies under Iranian law.
A spokesman for the defence said before the start of the closed hearing that the prosecution had failed to show any secrets had been sold to Israel. "It is true that the suspects confessed to being spies and to going to Israel and to receiving money, but did the information they gave the Israelis consist of secrets? We believe not, because the judge is not showing any documentation or proof that secret material was handed over . . . If the court believes otherwise, it should show us the evidence," he said.