Moussa denies Israeli request on Iran's detained Jews

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa dismissed media reports that Israel had asked Egypt to intervene in the issue of 13 Jews being tried in Iran on espionage charges.

"We do not have any idea about this issue. Therefore, the reports have no basis at all," Moussa said.

News Agencies reported that during a meeting with President Mubarak , the Israeli National Infrastructure Minister Eli Suissa had delivered a message from a top Israeli Religious Leader asking for Mubarak's intervention with Iran over the trial.

The trial of the 13 Iranian Jews charged with spying for Israel opened behind closed doors earlier in the day, in a case that has alarmed Jewish groups and Western governments.

The case against them has never been made public although newspaper reports have referred to them passing military secrets through a third country.

The head of the local judiciary said four of the defendants admitted the charges and had asked the court for mercy.

The case before the revolutionary court was adjourned until May 1, after the Jewish holiday of Passover, and Judge Sadeq Nourani agreed to consider releasing the suspects on bail.

Speaking to reporters, provincial justice Chief Hasan Ali Amiri said the four had told the judge they were giulty.

"They themselves confessed to wrongdoing and accepted the charges but asked for leniency," Amiri said, adding it was still up to the judge to complete the case and issue a verdict, which lawyers say could include the death penalty, an Egyptian statement said.