Iran's leading academic dissident Hashem Aghajari was freed on bail on Saturday after two years in jail facing the death penalty for telling Iranians not to follow their clerical leaders like "monkeys". Students took to the streets in violent protests in 2002 after the history lecturer, who lost a leg in the 1980-1988 war with Iraq, was sentenced to hang for blasphemy. "I hope there will come a day when no-one goes to prison in Iran for his opinions, let alone be sentenced to death," Aghajari, speaking through his tears, told reporters outside his apartment in north Tehran.
| That'll be after the last ayatollah's been hung... |
His joyous family handed out confectionery and orange juice to journalists. Long-haired Aghajari, 47, beaming with delight, embraced close friends gathered outside home. His lawyer Saleh Nikbakht said one of the reformist's friends had met the bail of 970 million rials ($113,000). He added that more than 160 well-wishers, including academics and clerics, had offered to help pay the sum. |