Information on whether Hezbollah members attacked Dr. Soroush's lecture at Dr. Chamran amphitheatre in October 1995 [IRN26507.E]

Information on this subject is available in the attached documents.

The following information was provided during a 22 January 1997 telephone interview with a specialist in Iranian affairs at George Masson University at Fairfax, Virginia.

The source stated that while Dr. Soroush did not teach any formal university courses in 1995-1996, he occasionally lectured at university campuses. The source indicated that Dr. Soroush regularly spoke at a mosque in Tehran, but could not specify the name or location of the mosque. The Iranian authorities eventually able to persuaded the mosque officials to stop Dr. Soroush's lectures, but he was allowed to continue them at a mosque outside Tehran. The source added that because of the distance to the new mosque, people had to use cars in order to attend Dr. Soroush's lectures. Dr. Soroush currently an edits a monthly literary journal called Kiyan (not to be confused with the newspaper Keyan International). Kiyan publishes articles in social political and religious affairs, as well as literary information.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference


Specialist on Iranian affairs, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. 22 January 1997. Telephone interview.

Attachments


APS Diplomat Recorder. 28 October 1995. "Demonstration Against Hardliners." (NEXIS)

Middle East Economic Digest (MEED). 10 November 1995. Vahe Petrossian. "Iran: Waiting for the Big Debate." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 12 October 1995. BC Cycle. "Iran Militants Disrupt Islamic Reformist's Speech." (NEXIS)

Voice of Israel External Service (Jerusalem, in Persian(. 12 October 1995. "Iranian Philosopher's Speech at Tehran University Disrupted." (BBC Summary 14 Oct. 1995) (NEXIS)