(RSF/IFEX) – A Tehran revolutionary court’s decision to hold Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand’s trial behind closed doors under article 188 of the criminal code has been condemned by his lawyer, Masomeh Sotoudeh. The trial began on 25 May 2008. “This article can only be used for trials in which the details discussed could offend […]
(RSF/IFEX) – A Tehran revolutionary court’s decision to hold Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand’s trial behind closed doors under article 188 of the criminal code has been condemned by his lawyer, Masomeh Sotoudeh. The trial began on 25 May 2008.
“This article can only be used for trials in which the details discussed could offend public morality, such as the trials of rapists,” Sotoudeh said. She also voiced concern about the state of health of her client, who has still not been allowed proper medical treatment by the authorities in Tehran’s Evin prison since suffering an attack of dizziness in his cell on 19 May. Charged with “activity against national security,” Kabovand has been held since 1 July 2007.
“The Iranian authorities are holding Kabovand’s trial behind closed doors in order to prevent the press from covering it and revealing any irregularities,” RSF said.
