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07/30/2003 Archived Entry: "Iran: Cdn was 'murdered'"

SHE WAS MURDERED: Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Ali Abtahi admitted today that a Canadian journalist who died in Iran last month was murdered.

Iran's vice-president said Wednesday that the Canadian freelance photojournalist who died in police custody earlier this month was murdered, the first time an official has admitted that Zahra Kazemi was beaten to death.

Earlier statements, including a report from a presidential committee, had acknowledged that Kazemi died from injuries sustained from a blow to the head, but suggested it could have been an accident.

"The murder was caused by brain hemorrhage due to a blow inflicted on her (head)," Vice-President Mohammad Ali Abtahi told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

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