(WiPC/IFEX) -Morteza Firouzi, editor of the English-language daily “Iran News”, was sentenced to death in January on charges of espionage. His appeal has reportedly now been rejected by the Supreme Court and he may be hanged in the next few days. Only a commutation issued by Iran’s leader may save him. **Update to IFEX alerts […]
(WiPC/IFEX) -Morteza Firouzi, editor of the English-language daily “Iran
News”, was sentenced to death in January on charges of espionage. His
appeal has reportedly now been rejected by the Supreme Court and he may be
hanged in the next few days. Only a commutation issued by Iran’s leader may
save him.
**Update to IFEX alerts of 10 November 1997, 14 November 1997 and 29 January
1998**
The WiPC is still seeking clarification around the facts of Firouzi’s case.
Amnesty International regards him as a possible “prisoner of conscience” and
there is mounting concern that his arrest and sentencing may be politically
motivated. In the absence of any information about the circumstances of
Firouzi’s trial, the WiPC is gravely concerned that due process was denied
him, that he is facing imminent execution on charges that have not been
substantiated in an open and fair legal process and that his conviction may
be an attempt to silence both him and other members of the press.
Background Information
Firouzi, a political analyst, founded the “Iran News” three years ago. It
has become a respected newspaper, widely read by foreign diplomats and
others. He was arrested in May or June 1997, and held for several weeks
incommunicado, during which time his family was not informed of his
whereabouts. In October 1997 it was reported in the Iranian press that he
was being held on espionage charges. One report said he was accused of
spying for “an eastern country”, another that he had spied for the United
States of America. On January 28, 1998, the official Iranian news agency
announced that he had been sentenced to death.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
his non-violent activities
Appeals To
His Excellency
Hojjatoleslam val-moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatemi
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fax: + 98 21 674-790 (via Foreign Affairs, ask for
fax to be forwarded)His Excellency Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi
Head of the Judiciary
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Fax: +98 21 646 5242Copies of your appeals should be sent to the
diplomatic representative for Iran in your country.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
