Teacher sentenced to death for protesting

03/17/2010

GVF -- The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has reported that Abdolreza Ghanbari, accused of heretics (Moharebeh) for participation in 27 December protests (Ashura), has been sentenced to death by Judge Salavati. International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran says that Ghanbari had not had access to a fair trial and has not had the possibility to select and talk to an attorney in compiling his defence.

During a meeting with Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani in Qom on Monday, Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said that verdicts of six Ashura Day suspects had been issued and that the sentences were under appeal.

The Campaign group notes that the Tehran Prosecutor has also said that the Judiciary had only tried members of “anti-revolutionary groups and organizations,” and released individuals “remorseful” about their actions.

Two Iranian political prisoners were suddenly executed on January 28, 2010 without the knowledge of their lawyers or their families’. There are serious concerns that other prisoners arrested following the fraudulent 12 June election will also be executed for political reasons and in an attempt to intimidate the opposition in Iran.

Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi has also said that 250 people detained during the bloody Ashura protests have been issued indictments and many of them have already been tried.

According to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Alireza Ghanbari is 42 years old and is from the poverty-stricken area of Ghiamdasht in Varamin. Ghanbari is a teacher and it is said that his only “crime” has been to participate in the public protests of Ashura Day and chanting slogans against Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. After his arrest on Ashura Day, he was detained at the “2-A” Security Ward, related to IRGC’s Intelligence unit.

"He was tried on January 30, 2010 without his family’s knowledge and without the right to select an attorney or to meet with his family," said the Campaign. "In his trial court presided by Judge Salavati, he admitted to participating in the Ashura Day protests and other matters. A person who follows Ghanbari’s case closely told the Campaign that Ghanbari’s confessions have been extracted under pressure and torture. He has been denied the right to an attorney and has recently been transferred to Evin Prison’s General Ward."

http://en.irangreenvoice.com/article/2010/mar/17/1510