IRAN - Jan 13 - Nobel Prizewinner Ebadi Summoned To Court.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, says she has been summoned to appear before the country's hardline Revolutionary Court, which deals mainly with national security and espionage charges, without being informed of any possible allegations. Ms Ebadi, a 57-year-old lawyer and human rights activist, won the Nobel prize in 2003 for her efforts to promote equal rights for women and children, which she believes are compatible with Islam. Her prize was not welcomed by Iran's hardliners but she has been allowed to continue her activities. However, on Jan 12, she received her first summons since 2003, which obliges her to appear before the Revolutionary Court by Sunday or face arrest. "I do not know why I am summoned. The summons fails to clarify whether I am accused of anything or only have to provide information", she told the FT. She said she might refuse to go: It is illegal. I have to know why I am summoned. I am looking into it". She was arrested in July 2000 on charges of spreading lies and spent 25 days in solitary confinement. Ms Ebadi is acting as a lawyer on behalf of the family of Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian-Iranian photographer who died in custody in 2003 as a result of a blow to the head. She also works closely with non-governmental organisations that are under pressure to curb their activities.