World digest 05/05/04

Iranian prof won't appeal new death sentence

TEHRAN, Iran -- A university professor has decided not to appeal a reinstated death sentence, effectively challenging Iran's hard-line judges to execute him for criticizing clerical rule, his attorney said Tuesday. The original sentence handed down to Hashem Aghajari in 2002 provoked massive student demonstrations and street battles with hard-line vigilantes. The Supreme Court overturned the death penalty last year. The original sentence came after the Hamedan court convicted Aghajari of insulting Islam and questioning the rule of the clerics in a speech he gave to students. In the new finding disclosed Monday, the court convicted Aghajari of apostasy, or the betrayal of Islam.

Italian government sets longevity record

ROME -- Despite public gaffes and criminal charges, billionaire premier Silvio Berlusconi enters the record books today for heading the longest-surviving government of post-World War II Italy -- a remarkable feat in this country of ever-squabbling politicians. Since the republic was founded in 1946, Italy has had 59 administrations, lasting less than a year on average. Berlusconi's coalition, formed in June 2001, tied the record of 1,059 days in power on Tuesday.

Protest broken up in restive Georgian region

TBILISI, Georgia -- Authorities in Georgia's Adzharia province used nightsticks and water cannons to disperse about 200 people protesting against its defiant leader on Tuesday, injuring several people and adding to tension in the restive Black Sea region. The protest came amid a standoff between Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze and Georgia's central government. Adzharia has withheld port fees collected in Batumi, which is Georgia's major Black Sea port and an important transshipment point for oil.

Three bombs explode in Athens; no injuries

ATHENS, Greece -- Three bombs exploded outside a police station today, but there were no reports of injuries, authorities said. The predawn blasts, which occurred over a span of 26 minutes, came before events to mark 100 days left until the Olympics. An anonymous caller to an Athens newspaper warned of the attacks in advance, but gave no motive or claim of responsibility. Greek authorities claimed they crippled domestic terrorism by the group 17 November with convictions last year. But smaller groups have continued to carry out bombings and arson attacks in Athens and other cities. Most are against cars and commercial targets and rarely cause injuries.

Israel accuses 15-year-old of recruiting bombers

JERUSALEM -- An Israeli military court on Tuesday indicted a 15-year-old Palestinian boy on charges of recruiting teenagers to become suicide bombers -- the first time such charges have been leveled at a Palestinian youth. The court said Nasser Awartani recruited a 16-year-old who blew himself up at a military checkpoint and another teen who was caught with a bomb strapped to his body. Israel's military court in the northern West Bank charged Awartani with 12 counts, including attempted murder and membership in a militant group. Awartani's mother, Ihlas, said her son spent all his free time at home and could not be guilty.

-- From wire reports