By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEHRAN, Iran – Fallout from Iran’s June election continues as the Islamic Republic sentenced three election protesters to death. The Iranian Students News Agency quoted a member of Tehran’s prosecutor’s office saying that the three protesters are to be hanged and are considered to be part of terrorist organizations according to the Iranian government. The Iranian Students News Agency reported on October 10 that the judgments against the unnamed detainees must be confirmed by a higher court.
Justice Ministry official Zahed Bashiri Rad is quoted as saying that the three protesters were convicted for maintaining ties to the banned monarchist group Kingdom Assembly of Iran and to the People’s Mujahedeen. Both of these groups advocate for the overthrowing of the Islamic Republic. The prosecutors claim that the accused admitted to spying, but human rights groups allege that these confessions came after torture was used.
While the names of the three condemned Iranians have not been confirmed, Rad agreed to give the initials of the convicts. Rad explained that “MZ and AP were convicted for ties with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran and NA for ties with the Monafeghin (People’s Mujahedeen).” A reformist website claimed that one of individuals to be put to death is an opposition activist named Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani.
Amnesty International released a statement urging Iran to rescind Zamani’s death sentence, which was imposed on October 8. The charges against Zamani include “enmity against God” and conspiring against national security. Zamani was also accused of illegally traveling to Iraq for an alleged meeting with a member of the U.S. military. Amnesty International USA Executive Director, Larry Cox, explained that “Zamani’s trial was a mockery of justice,” and encouraged Iran to withdraw the death sentence.
This marks the first time that an announcement was given that any of the hundreds of individuals arrested for protesting following the June 12 presidential election received death sentences. The June election was followed by mass street protests over alleged vote-rigging. Iranian authorities alleged that the protesters were sponsored by hostile nations. The opposition claims that sixty nine people died and thousands were arrested. Over one hundred prominent opposition leaders remain on trial for their role in the protests.
For more information, please see:
Guardian – Iran Sentences 3 Election Protesters To Death – 11 October 2009
Al Jazeera – Death Sentences For Iran Protesters – 10 October 2009
New York Times – Tehran Plans To Execute 3 Protesters Of Election – 10 October 2009
UPI – 3 Iran Protesters Given Death Sentences – 10 October 2009
