German paper rejects spy claim about its reporters

A German newspaper has dismissed as 'absurd' Iranian suggestions that two of its reporters detained in Iran in connection with a highly publicized stoning case were spying.
 

The two were arrested last month while interviewing the son and lawyer of 43-year-old Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who was sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery.
 

Iranian officials questioned whether the Germans are journalists and accused them of being spies, saying they posed as reporters without providing any evidence to support the claim.
 

Bild am Sonntag editor-in-chief Walter Mayer wrote in Sunday's edition that 'that is absurd'.
 

He added: 'the Iranian authorities know perfectly well that they are journalists and nothing else.' He complained that the two still don't have a lawyer.

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