Iran's parliament to investigate blogger’s deathNovember 11, 2012 - 16:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran's parliament is to investigate the death in custody of blogger Sattar Beheshti, officials say, according to BBC News. Beheshti, 35, was arrested on October 30 on charges of "actions against national security on social networks and Facebook". Police told his family to pick up his body on Wednesday, November 7. Iranian MPs and human rights groups had called for an inquiry, while the US said it was "appalled" by reports he was "tortured and killed" in prison. Iranian deputy parliamentary speaker Mohammad Hasan Abutorabifard said on Sunday that parliament's committee on national security and foreign policy would investigate the case. Earlier MP Ahmad Tavakoli, a conservative critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, spoke in an open session of parliament criticising the government's silence on the issue. The MP for Mr Beheshti's constituency also complained that he and local officials had not been informed about the case. Amnesty International said Mr Beheshti had complained of being threatened the day before his arrest. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |