NICOSIA — Iran has identified and arrested a parliamentary researcher
who allegedly relayed sensitive information on the nation's nuclear program to the
opposition, which has made it public in the West.
A leading member of Iran's Majlis said authorities have detained a spy
employed by the parliament's research center.
On Jan. 9, Ahmad Tavakoli, the
parliamentarian and head of the research center, said the employee was
"arrested with the cooperation of the Intelligence Ministry."
"During this time he was collecting information and transferring it to
the hypocrites," Tavakoli said, a reference to the Mujahedeen Khalq
opposition group.
Tavakoli did not identify the detained employee. But he said the alleged
spy worked in the research center since 2001. The center has been used by
parliamentarians to plan hearings and draft legislation.
"He gave nuclear information to the hypocrites," Tavakoli said. "The
accused's case has been completed for trial, and soon the trial will start."
In 2005, Iran announced the launch of a crackdown on the illegal
transfer of data on the nation's nuclear program. Officials said the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested dozens of Iranians on suspicion of
providing the opposition and West information on nuclear facilities.
The Mujahadeen, the leading member of the umbrella National Council of
Resistance of Iran, disclosed Iran's secret nuclear facilities in 2002.
Since then, the opposition has reported Iranian advancements in uranium
enrichment and other processes required for nuclear weapons production.
Officials said the parliamentary employee sold information on Iran's
nuclear programs
to the Mujahadeen. They did not explain how the employee acquired access to
such information.
"The man transferred classified information, including a bulletin on
nuclear activities, to the hypocrites," Iranian state radio said.
