Iranian dancer accused with 'immorality'

Published September 17th, 2002 - 03:00 GMT

The lawyer of Iran's most famous male dancer has announced that a court of appeal in Tehran threw down the 10-year suspended prison sentence given to the dancer last may, according to al Bayan newspaper.

Mohammed Khordadian, who lives and performs in Los Angeles since 22 years, was arrested while visiting relatives in Iran on charges of promoting corruption among the nation's youth.

An official has earlier said that dancer Khordadian was arrested because of the several classes he set up for women in Iran during his visit to the country, not for the broadcasting of his performances on Iranian TVs or in the United States.

The dancer's lawyer, Abdul Rahman Sultani told Reuters through telephone, "the travel ban was lifted and the court of appeal reduced the 10-term jail against him from 10 to 5 years without implementation."

Khordadian's case has gained much concern among the Iranian community abroad as well as inside the Islamic republic, where political reformers led by president Khatami struggle to take authority from the grip of their conservative opponents.

"Khordadian was relieved by the ruling but he does not want to return to the United States. He came to Iran to stay here. He might change his mind and travel to the US on a short trip to finish some personal business," the lawyer concluded. - Albawaba.com