Murderous, cowardly, koranic bastards:
Iran confirms Canadian died after beating
Associated Press
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Tehran — Iran confirmed Wednesday that Iranian-born Canadian journalist Zahra Kazemi died of brain hemorrhage from blows she suffered after her detention.
"She has died of brain hemorrhage resulting from blows inflicted on her," Vice-President Mohammed Ali Abtahi told reporters after a cabinet meeting. "We are pursuing details of the matter to see how it happened."
It was the first time Iran has confirmed that Ms. Kazemi, who died Friday, was beaten. Iran initially said that Ms. Kazemi, who holds dual Iranian-Canadian nationality, died of a stroke.
Her son, Stephan Hachemi, has alleged that she was beaten to death while in custody.
"The incident has no outcome other than tarnishing our international image at a time when we are in deep crisis at home and abroad," Mr. Abtahi said.
Ms. Kazemi, 54, a freelance photographer from Quebec, was arrested in Tehran on June 23 and branded a spy for taking photos of Evin prison during student-led protests against the ruling Islamic establishment.
Friends who visited her in the hospital days before she died said she was unconscious, with severe cuts and bruises on her face and head.
Reformers have denounced Ms. Kazemi's treatment by security agents under the control of hard-liners.
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