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News & Views 140 Iranian MPs urge Khatami to investigate murders TEHRAN, Dec 13 (AFP) - Around 140 members of Iran's parliament called on President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday to ensure the arrest of the killers of several liberal writers and dissidents. "The cowardly murders, disappearances and suspicious deaths of innocent citizens, political figures and writers within a short time shows an extensive plot against the Islamic Republic," the MPs said in a letter read out in parliament. "Enemies want to show that insecurity is spreading across our country," said the letter broadcast on radio. They accused the People's Mujahedeen, the main armed opposition group based in Iraq, and foreign intelligence services of "having a hand" in the spate of murders in Tehran. "This cowardly plot has been complemented by unprecedented publicity by foreign media, seeking to undermine security in Iran and create doubts in public opinion that the government is unable to ensure the safety of its citizens." Iranian authorities have come under tremendous pressure to solve a rash of murders of liberal intellectuals and political dissidents in the past month. The government daily Iran said Sunday that the body of the latest victim, Mohammad Pouyandeh, a writer and translator, had been found in the southern outskirts of Tehran. Iran's National Security Council, presided over by Khatami, held an emergency meeting late Saturday to discuss the killings. The ministries of intelligence and information have been ordered to conduct a "ceaseless and serious" investigation into the matter until final results are achieved." * Iran News
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