Iran announced yesterday that a Canadian journalist died from a brain haemorrhage following beatings during or after her arrest outside a Tehran prison, reversing its claim that she died of a stroke while in custody.
Iran also promised to prosecute those responsible for the death of Montreal-based Zahra Kazemi (54), a Canadian of Iranian descent, who died on Friday.
However, it continued to rebuff Canadian calls for Ms Kazemi's body to be returned to her adoptive country.
"According to a report by the health minister she has died of a brain haemorrhage resulting from beatings," Vice-President Mr Mohammad Ali Abtahi told reporters. "The death of Zahra Kazemi . . . creates a very black picture [of Iran\] in the world."
Ms Kazemi's death has outraged Canada's government, and cast a spotlight on Iran's shadowy security services and treatment of the media.
Iran's President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday ordered four ministers to investigate Ms Kazemi's death. Yesterday he also told the intelligence and justice ministries to probe a recent spate of arrests of journalists and dissident intellectuals.
"Just as we are responsible for the nation's security and interests, so we are also responsible for the absolute rights of our dear compatriots, particularly the intellectuals," he said in a letter to the ministers, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Mr Abtahi said it was unclear whether Ms Kazemi's beating took place during her arrest last month outside Evin prison, where many dissidents are jailed, or during later interrogation.
Her death has marred what had been relatively smooth relations between Iran and Canada, where senior officials have demanded the return of her body.
"From our point of view, because she has Iranian citizenship, no foreign government has the right to make special comments on this issue," spokesman Mr Abdollah Ramazanzadeh said.
Ms Kazemi also held Canadian nationality.
The Canadian Alliance opposition party has demanded that Ottawa expel Iranian diplomats until the body of Ms Kazemi is returned. - (Reuters)