Thomas Foley: “today I rise to condemn the actions of Iran in accusing and now trying 13 Jews for allegedly spying for Israel and the…”

“today I rise to condemn the actions of Iran in accusing and now trying 13 Jews for allegedly spying for Israel and the United States. All 13 have been jailed and isolated for more than a year without being formally charged with anything. They are now being formally tried, again without formal charges having been brought. Mr. Speaker, we are talking about a group of people aged 17 to 48 who are among the least likely to ever be involved in espionage. We are talking about a rabbi, a student, three Hebrew teachers, a shoe store clerk, and a kosher butcher. They are now confronting a judge who has it in his power to execute them on grounds that are unsupported and without evidence. All 13 were arrested by the authorities of the Islamic Republic on the eve of Passover in 1999. They have had little access since then to either family or legal counsel. Mr. Speaker, I think this Congress should rise as one voice repeatedly and repeatedly to condemn this trial and to demand that Iran release these people back to their families and to freedom. This trial is a sham, and it should be treated as one by the world.”