Fruitless Efforts to Reduce Shahidi’s $600,000 Bail

A source close to journalist and prisoner of conscience Hengameh Shahidi told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that despite her family’s efforts to reduce her $600,000 bail, authorities at the Prosecutor’s Office have not agreed to the family’s request. According to the source, Shahidi’s health is unfavorable and pursuing her medical needs requires treatment outside of the prison. Prosecuting authorities have said that Shahidi’s family’s appeal for bail reduction is being considered but no decision has been made yet.

“Mortazavi Must Apologize To Me,” Says Persecuted Human Rights Lawyer

As judicial and security pressures on lawyers from Defenders of Human Rights Center continue, lawyer Mohammad Ali Dadkhah has been summoned to the Revolutionary Court’s Branch 15, immediately after Mohammad Ali Seifzadeh’s trial, another lawyer at the Center. Dadkhah told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that he must appear at the court on 17 October 2010 in order to respond to charges brought against him.

Details of Veteran Politician’s Detention Unknown

A one-month detention order has been issued for Ebrahim Yazdi, Secretary General of the Freedom Movement of Iran, but details of the order have not been revealed. Yazdi was arrested for the third time after the 2009 elections on 1 October 2010, along with Hashem Sabaghian, a member of the group’s central council, Ali Asghar Gharavi, head of the group’s Isfahan branch, Ghaffar Farzadi, head of the Azerbaijan branch, Ahad Rezaee, head of the Zanjan branch, and two Isfahan branch members by the names of Riaee and Moslehi. The group had gathered for Friday prayers at a memorial service in Isfahan when the arrests took place.

Sakineh Ashtiani’s Lawyer Condemns Iran Executions (Video-BBC)

The lawyer representing Sakineh Ashtiani – the Iranian lady facing the death penalty – has described Iran’s leaders as “among the worst offenders of human rights abuses”. Mohammed Mustafei addressed MEPs on the European Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee on 14 October 2010 during a hearing to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty. Ms [...]

Former MP Arrested After Criticizing Judiciary Spokesperson

Ali Shakouri Rad, a member of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, was arrested on Tuesday 12 October 2010. He had gone to the Revolutionary Court for the second time to provide explanations to officials, according to his family, but never returned home. Tehran’s Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi announced Shakouri Rad’s arrest on “security charges.” However, some believe Shakouri Rad, a former Member of Parliament from Tehran, was arrested due to publication of an article in his personal blog about Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei. Ejei, who is presently Prosecutor General and the Judiciary’s Spokesperson, was Minister of Intelligence during last year’s election and oversaw subsequent arrests of political activists.

The Arrest of Mehdi Khazali: Continued Pressure On Critics

Mehdi Khazali, an ophthalmologist, writer, and critical blogger, was arrested on Wednesday, 13 October 2010 while traveling. According to the Kalame website, security agents arrested Khazali and transferred him to an unknown location. Khazali’s charges, the government agency responsible for his arrest, his detention location and present conditions are unknown at this time. In recent [...]

Seifzadeh in Court: ‘My Charge Was Establishing the Defenders of Human Rights Center’

On 9 October 2010, Mohammad Seifzadeh, a lawyer and one of the founders of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), was tried at Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court on the charge of founding the organization. In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Seifzadeh referred to the proceedings as “illegal,” and called the unrelated questioning an “inquisition.” He also complained about lack of a jury panel at his trial and that his case was originally prepared by two judges who have since been suspended from service, Saeed Mortazavi and Haddad, and the fact that the court’s proceedings under these circumstances were entirely illegal.

Amputations and Floggings on the Rise

(13 October 2010) The Iranian Parliament and Judiciary should immediately abolish cruel and inhumane punishments, such as limb amputation, stoning, and flogging, consistent with Iran’s international obligations, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

In recent days Iranian officials have acknowledged that amputations have been carried out and an increasing number of flogging sentences have been issued for post-election protestors.

“These inhumane and barbaric acts are nothing but torture under international law and should be abolished,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.

The head of the Iranian delegation to the United Nation’s Human Rights Council in February and June 2010, Mohammad Javad Larijani, told the Council that Iran does not consider such punishments as torture and that they are culturally justified.

Long Prison Sentences Continue – Fifteen Years for Blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki

Following long-term prison sentences for political and social activists, this week the Revolutionary Courts sentenced blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki to 15 years in prison. Ronaghi was arrested on 13 December 2009 and transferred to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s Ward 2-A inside Evin prison. Reports indicate that during his imprisonment, Ronaghi has been physically and [...]

Shirin Ebadi’s International Appeal to Help Imprisoned Colleague

Following publication of news about Nasrin Sotoudeh’s hunger strike in prison and her interrogations under duress, Shirin Ebadi, head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that she is appealing to the world to object to the Sotoudeh’s arrest in order to help her. Ebadi also said she is deeply concerned about Sotoudeh’s health conditions.