TEHRAN Hassan Yusefi Ashkevari, a clergy who participated in the Berlin Conference, was arrested and sent to Evin Prison on return to Tehran early Saturday, the Special Court for the Clergy (SCC) prosecutor Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Ebrahim Nekounam told IRNA here Saturday.
Nekounam said that Ashkevari had been detained according to a warrant issued by the SCC, which called for his temporary detention.
He said on completion of preliminary investigation into the case, Ashkevari will stand trial at the SCC.
Nekounam cited the charges brought up against Ashkevari given the issues raised at Berlin Conference as action against national security, publication of defamatory articles in certain domestic and foreign dailies against officials of the system, launching publicity campaign against the system, insult to and denial of the absolute sanctities of the holy religion of Islam, questioning certain absolute rules of Islam and the practices which ran contrary to dignity of clergymen.
He said given the likelihood of criminal evidence and in a bid to complete preliminary examination, Ashkevari's home was searched in his and his family's presence on Saturday.
Ashkevari arrived in Tehran soon after midnight on Saturday.
(IRNA)