Judiciary, Not Government, Barred Observers At Journalist's Death Trial: Tehran Envoy

MONTREAL, July 15 (AFP) - Iran's judiciary independently decided to bar observers from the trial of the accused killer of an Iranian-Canadian journalist, despite being advised by the government to open the proceedings, Tehran's envoy to Canada said Thursday.
"We have advised the judge to do so but he decided otherwise," Iranian Ambassador S.M. Ali Mousavi told CBC television.
"The judiciary is an independent power in Iran, just as it is in Canada," he added.
On Wednesday, Canada recalled its ambassador to Iran after learning that observers would not be allowed in the trial for the death of Zahra Kazemi.
The 54-year-old journalist died last July after being hit in the head while in custody in Tehran. She had been arrested for taking pictures outside the capital's notorious Evin prison.
Iranian intelligence agent Mohammad Reza Aghdam Ahmadi faces the charge of "semi-intentional murder." The trial will resume Saturday.