The sentencing of these latest individuals on the spying charges has brought down a wave of criticism on the Iranian judicial system. Iran's swirling politics, pitting hard- liners against reformers, may explain the unfair conviction of ten of 13 Jews accused of spying. Or it may be anti-Semitism, hatred of Israel, or an outrageously low standard of justice. It wants to emerge from a decades- long shell of religious isolation, but its legal system undercuts this intention. Turning to Florida, The Miami Herald is at least pleased the defendants are still alive, having avoided the death penalty that has befallen several other Jews as we mentioned in the introduction.
Supporters consider it something of a victory that the men are still alive.
But the very concept of justice demands these men be exonerated and released. It must not escape the notice of Congress, seemingly poised to lift trade sanctions against Iran, that they haven't. More editorial anger from the Midwest in a recent Chicago Tribune. And by all appearances, it is. Iran would argue otherwise, that the defendants were, in fact, spies.