ANAYURDUM

Azeris in Georgia protest

27 Azeri villages in Georgia were renamed to Georgian names, whereas in 16 villages the pupils study in Georgian, representatives of the Azerbaijani community in Georgia told Musavat party leader Isa Gsmbar. They noted that unless official Baku increases care for Azeris living in Georgia, that might lead to a negative outcome.

VIRGINIA BEACH (AP) -- Six survivors and the relatives of the man killed in the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 are expected to get their day in court tomorrow against the Iranian government in a $500 million lawsuit accusing the country of sponsoring terrorism.
The lawsuit was filed last November under the federal anti-terrorism act of 1996, which enables victims of international terrorism and their families to sue terrorists and their sponsors.
The U.S. government has set aside $450 million to pay the awards but is seeking reimbursement. The United States holds $1 billion in frozen Iranian assets, but those funds are tied up in international litigation, the newspaper reported.
More than $213 million has been awarded to eight families from other terrorist acts in a series of lawsuits against Iran in the past year.

Russia against bombing Iran
MOSCOW [MENL] -- Russia has already signalled its opposition to a U.S. offensive against Iran and Iraq.
Russian officials said Moscow would help Washington with the war on terrorism. But they said President Vladimir Putin would not allow the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein or Iran to become a U.S. target in such a war.

TEHRAN, Oct 30 (AFP) - Doroud,
Twenty-one year-old Sadjad Estaraki, Mehdi Laack, aged 23, and Ali Lashni, 25, were each given 100 lashes Monday, the daily said without specifying the reason for the punishment.

In recent months, Tehran's 10-million strong capital has witnessed a sharp rise in public floggings, with hundreds of young men lashed in the city's maim squares on a variety of charges, mostly consuming alcohol or drugs, or having extra-marital sex.

Britain holds two Iranians under anti-terror laws

LONDON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Two Iranians who were arrested while allegedly trying to leave Britain with cyanide in their bags were remanded in custody on Thursday by a court in southern England, police sources said.
British media said the two men, Ahmed Favaregh, 53, and Ali Mostaschari, 45, were arrested last week and charged under anti-terrorism laws.
Officials said they were due to reappear in Folkestone Crown Court on November 1.
Local media said the pair were questioned for six days by police before being charged with "possessing an article for commission, instigation or preparation to commit acts of terrorism."
Britain, which has long been criticized as a safe haven for extremists, has cracked down on Islamic militants since the September 11 hijack attacks on New York and Washington.

17-year-old girl receives 100 lashes for "immoral deeds"
BBC Monitoring Service
Oct 23, 2001

Text of report entitled: " A fugitive girl receives lashes in Karaj" published by Iranian newspaper Tose'eh web site on 23 October
A 17-year-old girl was whipped in Karaj [west of Tehran] yesterday on charges of fleeing home and having unlawful [sexual] relations.
The girl, Nasibeh, fled her [parents] home during the latter days of Ordibehesht this year [early May 2001] and perpetrated immoral deeds.
The 33rd Branch of Karaj Court sentenced her to 100 lashes.
Source: Tose'eh web site, Tehran, in Persian 0001 gmt 23 Oct 01 p