TEHRAN The dissident journalist Akbar Ganji has claimed at the November 9 court hearing held on the Berlin Conference that he had been beaten up by four prison wardens for refusing to wear a prison uniform before attending the trial session.

However, after being transferred to the Tehran Office of Forensic Medicine on Sunday, it was revealed that there were no signs of injury. "The signs of injury have disappeared because the judge sent me to the forensic specialist only after 24 days," Ganji said adding that wounds usually heal after 18 days.

Naturally, those who do not have any evidence to prove their claims make ballyhoo to divert public attention and finally reach their goals.

But, individuals like Ganji should consider the fact that by making such a hue and cry they will gain nothing except providing a pretext for some foreign countries to interfere in Iran's internal affairs and to make propaganda against the Islamic Republic.

Ganji should prove all his claims, on which the enemies have made lots of propaganda against Iran, through evidence and should not let the foreign news circles take advantage of the political leanings of some individuals in the country.

Ganji, held in prison since April, had complained of abominable conditions at the prison and charged that prison guards tortured him, provoking a denial from the prison authorities.

He is held for accusing top state officials of involvement in the 1998 murders of several intellectuals as well as political activists. He is also charged with participating in an antirevolutionary conference in Berlin.

The conference, organized by Germany's Heinrich Boell Foundation, was disrupted by antirevolutionary elements who danced, heckled speakers and some even undressed in violation of the Islamic and social mores.

Ganji told reporters while leaving the Office of Forensic Medicine Sunday that he had so far named the main agent behind the murders and that he had much more to say about the serial murders at the Press Court.

He said the Majlis should question former information ministers Qorban-Ali Dorri Najafabadi and Ali Fallahian in connection with the serial murders case.