A foreign ministry spokeswoman said in meetings with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in Geneva last week, Foreign Minister David Levy had pleaded for the liberation of the 13. "We hope they will receive a fair trial that will exonerate them," she said.

Iranian officials announced earlier that the trial will begin as scheduled on Thursday in the southern city of Shiraz, after first indicating the initial hearing could be postponed.

The 13, arrested along with eight Muslims last year, were initially all said to be facing charges of spying for Israel and the U.S., which carries the death penalty.

But a judiciary spokesperson announced earlier this month that only one or two of the Jews were now facing spy charges, with the rest accused of acting against Iranian security interests, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.

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