IRAN: Three Years in Solitary

After 35 days of stormy hearings, the treason trial of former Premier Mohammed Mossadegh came to a surprising end. The court clerk read out the verdict of guilty on each of 13 charges, constituting a revolt against the constitution and the monarchy, and then concluded: "In view of the fact that the accused has no criminal record and is in old age and . . . has rendered valuable services to the Fatherland which have been endorsed by His Majesty . . . His Imperial Majesty has deigned to absolve him. The court deems it proper to observe mitigations in his case and therefore to sentence him to three years of solitary confinement."

The 74-year-old man, who had been weepily predicting that the military court would sentence him to "die in a corner of the prison," had expected no such light punishment. The prosecutor muttered disgustedly and stomped out of the court. But the Shah's mercy to the man who had once driven him into exile was a shrewd move, for among Iranians, Mossadegh still rates high. Remarked Mossadegh sarcastically: "The verdict of this court has increased my historical glories."