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del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 14:11 16/12/2007 Iran to Azerbaijan: Show proof for claims of spying on Israel By The Associated Press Tags: Israel, Azerbaijan, Iran Tehran on Sunday demanded that Azerbaijan provide evidence to back up the convictions of more than a dozen people found guilty of passing information about Western interests to Iranian intelligence. Azerbaijan's National Security Ministry said Saturday that the 15 people provided information to Iran regarding American, British and Israeli activities in the former Soviet republic. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Sunday dismissed the allegations as baseless. "They raised a delusory accusation against Iran, and made propaganda based on it," Mohammad Ali Hosseini told reporters in Tehran during his weekly news briefing. Advertisement Hosseini said it would be better if Azerbaijan would provide evidence to Iran and accused foreign hands of wanting to disturb good relations between the two countries. "We should not allow others to damage these relations," Hosseini said. An Azerbaijan court sentenced the 15 men to lengthy prison terms last week in a case that highlighted Azerbaijan's concern over the influence of neighboring Iran. In a statement released Saturday, the National Security Ministry revealed new details about the group, which allegedly passed to Iranian agents details on Western embassies, companies, pipeline operations and employees operating in Azerbaijan in 2005-2006. The 15 were arrested in January on suspicion of crimes including plotting to forcefully seize power, treason, organizing a criminal group, possession of weapons and drugs, and counterfeiting. Said Dadashbeyli, the alleged leader who worked at a U.S.-Azerbaijani drilling company, sought Iranian support for a plot to seize power in Azerbaijan and establish Islamic law in the oil-rich country. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, along with two other group members, while the rest received sentences ranging from two years to 13, the court said. Dadashbeyli's lawyer said the charges were unfounded. Predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan has increasingly been caught in a tug-of-war for influence between the secular, democratic West and its large southern neighbor. Rumblings of Shiite political Islam have been particularly noticeable in the more conservative regions that border Iran, and the secular government has displayed concern over Iranian influence. Related articles: Israeli envoys to U.S. to argue Iran still trying to make nuclear bomb Iranian TV film on local Jews reveals little about their plight Reformist Iranian opposition slams Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial Bookmark to del.icio.us Divisible capital No commandment says J'lem must be under Jewish rule. No permission granted Should U.S. Jews have a say in shaping Israel's policies?   1.   Azerbaijan: sever ties with Iran 20:03  |  Conroy 16/12/07

Today Online Haniyeh tells Hamas rally: We will never recognize Israel Responses: 194 Zvi Barel: In the end, the IDF will go into the Gaza Strip Responses: 80 Qassam strikes Negev home; toddler lightly hurt Responses: 49 Ehud Asheri: Israeli Arabs are right to skip Israel's 60th Responses: 49 Was Hollywood's most famous censor an anti-Semite? Responses: 40 Rosner's Domain Without the Reform movement in Israel, there's no Reform movement Guest: Americans say there's no need nor point in creating Palestinian state Who believes in intelligence reports? So, Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? More Headlines 18:03 Qassam strikes Negev home; toddler lightly hurt 19:32 Livni, Abbas meet in Paris ahead of international donor summit 14:54 Israel agrees to let 900 Gazans enter en route to Hajj in Mecca 20:30 2 years after appointment, Israel okays Greek Orthodox Patriarch 11:02 Was Hollywood's most famous censor an anti-Semite or not? 19:42 Beilin drops out of Meretz leadership race, throws support to MK Oron 19:41 Disabled advocacy group: We'll take to the streets if gov't ignores us 18:14 Gov't approves proposal declaring pirate radio 'aerial terror' 14:11 Iran to Azerbaijan: Show proof for claims of spying on Israel 20:30 Administrative court nixes Ikea plan for Rishon Letzion branch Previous Editions Select Day 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec

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