Britain's 'terrorist' label on Iranian group struck down

Supporters say the move gives the People's Mujahedin freer rein to organize democratic opposition to the regime in Tehran.

By Kim Murphy, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer December 1, 2007

LONDON -- In a victory for British politicians pushing for regime change in Iran, an appeals tribunal ruled Friday that their government had no authority to ban a leading Iranian opposition group as a terrorist organization.The ruling, which could help the group gain legal status across Europe, was hailed by proponents of the cause as a significant boost to efforts to organize democratic opposition to the Islamic government in Tehran.But by legitimizing an organization with a history of deadly attacks in Iran, the British panel's decision could also undermine Iran's willingness to cooperate on international anti-terrorism fronts and inject a new stumbling block into negotiations over the Persian Gulf nation's nuclear program, British officials have warned.The successful appeal was filed by three dozen members of the British Parliament, many of whom say they hope to empower Iranian opposition groups to peacefully overthrow the government in Tehran."This judgment will help Iran build a new country," said Robin Corbett, chairman of the parliamentary committee that filed the appeal. "Iran will be free."The British government said it would probably appeal the ruling.


Sunday Telegraph: In a street off London's Chancery Lane on Friday 400 Iranians celebrated a court victory that has left the British Government in a deep double embarassment. Not only were ministers found to have acted illegally in outlawing the chief Iranian opposition group, the People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI), as a terrorist organisation; they now face searching questions from their EU colleagues as to why they have twice incited the European Council to a unique act of defiance by ignoring a ruling from the European Court of Justice.