Tag Archives: row

Amnesty International issues URGENT ACTION on Delara Darabi

A word of thanks to Amnesty International for their immediate response and issuing the urgent action statement on Delara Darabi :  LINK 

 

Iran: Further information on death penalty / legal concern: Delara Darabi (f)

PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/047/2007
27 April 2007

Further Information on UA 04/06 (MDE 13/084/2006, 01 August 2006) and follow-up
(MDE 13/038/2007, 27 March 2007) – Death penalty/legal concern/health concern

IRAN Delara Darabi (f), aged 20, child offender

Delara Darabi’s death sentence has been confirmed by the Supreme Court,
according to a 25 April report in the newspaper Etemad. The verdict has
apparently been sent to the office of the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah
Shahroudi, for consideration.

Her father has again requested that she be transferred from Rasht Prison to
Evin, in Tehran, on the grounds that conditions in Rasht may have led in part
to her January suicide attempt. Her life was saved by her cellmates, who
alerted the prison authorities. According to recent reports, Delara Darabi has
been beaten in Rasht Prison, leaving her with a broken arm, and she is in poor
health. She reportedly also suffers from a pre-existing kidney complaint. It is
not known whether she is receiving adequate medical care, but her condition has
reportedly worsened in prison.

Delara Darabi, then aged 17, reportedly burgled the house of an elderly female
relative on 29 September 2003 together with a 19-year-old man named Amir
Hossein Sotoudeh. Amir Hossein allegedly killed the woman during the burglary.
Delara Darabi initially confessed to the murder, but subsequently retracted her
confession, claiming that Amir Hossein had asked her to admit responsibility
for the murder to protect him from execution, believing that as she was under
18, she could not be sentenced to death. Iran is a state party to international
treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
that expressly prohibit the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by
those under the age of 18.

Delara Darabi was sentenced to death by Branch 10 of the General Court in Rasht
in 2005. The Supreme Court later found “deficiencies” in the case and sent it
for retrial. Following further trial sessions in January and June 2006, Delara
Darabi was sentenced to death for a second time. Amir Hossein Sotoudeh was
sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for complicity in the murder and both
received sentences of three years’ imprisonment and 50 lashes for robbery, and
20 lashes for an “illicit relationship”. Delara Darabi’s death sentence was
confirmed by the Supreme Court on 16 January 2007. According to the Etemad
report, this sentence has now been further confirmed by Branch 7 of the Iran’s
Supreme Court, sitting as a sentencing “discernment”, or review, body (Sho’
be-ye tashkhis).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Despite being a state party to international treaties which prohibit the use of
the death penalty against anyone under the age of 18 at the time of offence,
many child offenders are under sentence of death in Iran.

At least 177 people were executed in Iran in 2006, including one who was under
the age of 18 at the time of execution, and at least three others who were
under 18 at the time of the offences of which they were convicted.

On 14 January 200, judges in a Tehran criminal court cleared 19-year-old
Mahabad Fatehi (known as Nazanin Fatehi) of premeditated murder, but ordered
her to pay diyeh (blood money) to the family of the man she killed in
self-defence in March 2005. She had been sentenced to death for murder in
January 2006, but following domestic and international protests, her death
sentence was quashed by the Supreme Court in May 2006 and her case sent for
retrial (see UA 220/05, MDE 13/047/2005, 24 August 2005, and follow-ups).

 

AI Index: MDE 13/047/2007        27 April 2007

NAZANIN AFSHIN-JAM FLIES TO AMESTERDAM TO RALLY FOR DELARA

Bodog Music Media Release 

NAZANIN AFSHIN-JAM FLIES TO AMSTERDAM IN A DESPERATE
BID TO SAVE ANOTHER GIRL FROM DEATH ROW IN IRAN

Amsterdam, Netherlands (April 26, 2007) - Bodog Music recording artist and world renowned humanitarian, Nazanin, is once again speaking out for an extremely important cause. This time her attention is focused on the life of a young girl on the execution row named Delara Darabi, who is being denied a fair trial for an alleged murder when she was 17 years old . Delara is a gifted painter/artist who now calls herself “prisoner of colors”

On Saturday, April 28, Nazanin will be in Amsterdam to rally for support at the art exhibit where Delara Darabi’s paint works are being displayed. Nazanin will speak on behalf of Miss Darabi’s cause and the plight of the many other minors who are imprisoned in Iran.
Broken heart and spirit, Delara has been struggling to survive. Spending three difficult years in prison, she has been locked away since she was 17 years old; she has even attempted to take her own life recently because of the pressures of prison life and beatings in prison.

Darabi’s attorney, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi, has gathered new evidence which proves her innocence. He has declared that examiners have shown the crime was committed by a right handed person, while Darabi is left handed. Despite Mr. Khoramshahi’s requests to present this new evidence in court, the Judiciary has refused to provide a new trial and accordingly Darabi’s sentence can be carried out at any moment

Nazanin Afshin-Jam successfully launched a campaign that gave freedom to her 17-year old namesake, Nazanin Fatehi, who was sentenced to death in Iran for having stabbed one of three attackers who tried to rape her and her 15-year old niece. She has since launched www.StopChildExecutions.com, a campaign to put a permanent end to child executions.

“There are over 30 minors on death row in Iran,” Nazanin said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country in the world that continues to officially execute minors and this must be stopped immediately”

Nazanin Afshin-Jam has contacted the United Nations, trying to gather support from government officials to pressure the Iranian government to abide by human rights law and urges the public for support: “Delara Darabi has no voice in prison, and no hope. This is our last chance to have her cries heard aloud.”

Nazanin is asking people worldwide to go to www.StopChildExecutions.com to learn about Delara Darabi and the other minors on death row, and pay particular attention to the “what you can do section.”

“It is not too late; your voice really can make a difference,” Nazanin said.

For those looking to show support for this very important cause, a rally will be held at the Pakhuis de Zwijger on April 28, between 1400 and 1700 Hours local time.

Address is as follows: Pakhuis de Zwijger (www.bezwijger.nl) -Pietheinkade 181, 1019, HC, Amsterdam.

About Bodog Music

BodogMusic.com is a division of the international digital entertainment giant, Bodog Entertainment. With six offices worldwide, the label features a diverse and growing roster of talented musicians. Bodog Music is searching for the top unsigned band in America with “Bodog Battle,” which is taking place in 17 major markets and features more than 300 live shows. Bodog Music Founder Calvin Ayre, who is recognized as a world authority on branding in the digital entertainment industry, was spotlighted on the cover of Forbes magazine’s best-selling “Billionaires” issue in March 2006. Bodog Entertainment also includes: an international television production division, which produces television series, such as Bodog Fight (BodogFight.com) and Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker (Bodog.TV); a publishing division (with an online magazine, BodogNation.com, and blog, BodogBeat.com); and an events department renowned for producing parties that are stunning, chic and celebrity-filled. For more information, contact publicity@bodogmusic.com. BODOG is a registered trademark of Bodog Entertainment Group.

بیانیه محمد مصطفائی وکیل دادگستری درمورد حکم اعدام دلارا دارابی

همانطور که از رسانه ها شنیده ایم دیروز حکم صادر شده علیه خانم دلارا دارابی از طرف شعبه 7 تشخیص دیوان عالی کشور تائید شد.

  بسیار جای تاسف دارد از این که قضات به پرونده خانم دلارا دارابی هیچگونه توجهی نکرده و موضوع سلب حیات از یک کودک 17 ساله را آسان گرفتند. در حالی که قوانین بین المللی به صراحت به عدم سلب حیات از کودکان زیر 18 سال مخالفت دارد مشاهده می کنیم که قضات عالی مرتبه قوه قضائیه به این موضوع که با قوانین بین المللی حقوق بشر و مدنی مغایرت  دارد توجه ننموده و حکم اعدام را که برخلاف قانون می باشد صادر نمودند.

 در پرونده دلارا دارابی مشکلات شکی و موهومی بسیاری وجود دارد که برای روشن شدن واقعیت بهتر بود دراین خصوص تامل مینمودند، از جمله اینکه دلارا چپ دست بوده که با توجه به محل ضربات وارد شده به بدن مقتول این نیاز به باز سازی صحنه از طرف مراجع قضایی بود که ادعا حاکی از این است که بازسازی صحنه  تا بحال انجام نشده است.

مورد دیگری که بسیار جای تامل دارد انگیزه ارتکاب جرم است. دلارا دارابی هیچ انگیزه ای برای قتل مهین نداشته است. وضعیت مالی خانواده دلارا بگونه ای بوده که لازم نبود برای سرقت مرتکب جرم شود.

لذا این جانب نیز همچنان جناب آقای خرمشاهی اعتقاد دارم حکم صادره غیر قانونی و بر خلاف شرع مقدس اسلام نیز می باشد.

محمد مصطفائی

Statement of Mohammad Mostafaei, co-attorney of Delara Darabi’s about the execution verdict

 

As we heard in the media yesterday, the execution verdict of Miss Delara Darabi was confirmed by the 7th division of the appeal review department of the supreme court of Iran.

It is very unfortunate that the judges paid no attention whatsoever to Miss Delara Darabi’s file and took the matter of taking the life of a 17 year old child so lightly. While the international laws clearly mandates against execution of children under 18 years of age, we observe that the higher judges of the judiciary paid no attention to this case and in violation of the international civil and human rights verified the death sentence.

Delara Darabi’s file has many doubtful and vague ambiguities and in order to clear the facts it was wise that the judges had exercised patience about this case. For example Delara Darabi is left-handed and the victim’s was stabbed on the side of the body which required a reenactment of the scene by the judiciary but there has never been such reenactment.

Other matter which requires much consideration is the lack of motive for the crime. Delara Darabi had no motives for the murder of Mahin (the victim). The financial status of the Delara was such that there was no need for Delara to commit robbery and the crime.

Therefore the same as Mr. Khoramshahi, I believe that the issued verdict is unlawful and it is also against the Islamic Sharia laws.

Mohammad Mostafaei  

Attorney at Law

April 26, 2007 

Delara's attorney: "In a very short time the judges denied my appeal."

Iran’s Etemmad newspaper reported that Iran’s appeal review judges have verified Delara Darabi’s death sentence and her file is transferred to Iran’s head of judiciary for final decision. Delara’s attorney Abdolsamad Khoramshahi stated after verifying the news: “In a very short time the judges denied my appeal.”  This was despite his hope that based on the presented documents they would reconsider the sentence.  ”Unfortunately the deficiencies of the file were not given proper attention and all of the questioned claims were ignored and the file was sent to the offices of Ayatollah Hashemi Shahrudi for approval of the execution.” Khoramshahi said that he is hopeful that the judges of Ayatollah Shahrudi’s office would review the file with more attention. 
 
Delara’s family told Nazanin Afshin-Jam that two of Delara’s fingers were broken. Delara has not said how this happened but it is likely that this was due to recent beating by some prison mates. After recent visits Delara is reported as ”not doing good emotionally”. After reading the Stop Child Execution Petition a family member stated:” I was very disappointed to see the list of so many children on death row. There are no differences between boys and girls, none of the accused minors should be executed but it was even more saddening to see that Delara was the only girl on the list.”
To help save Delara from execution please review our ACTION CALL and Delara Darabi’s page.

Delara Darabi Update

We have been receiving few inquiries from the concerned Delara Darabi campaign supporters about recent news and the mass emails that were distributed claiming that :”In the past two days, Delara has been severely beaten in prison by both the prisoners and the prison guards. Prison authorities have confirmed that Delara’s body bears severe signs of beatings and abuse. “

In a phone conversation with SCE campaign Mr. Khoramshahi, Delara’s attorney stated that “throughout her jail time she has often been harrassed and beaten by other prisoners.”. He did not make any reference to any reports of being beaten by “prison guards”. According to Delara’s sister , her father “just visited Delara and there were no reports of her being severly beaten in the last couple of days.”

The same article claimed that ” Amir Hussain, the young boy who was imprisoned on charges of having assisted Delara during the murder, was allowed to leave the prison on official leave. While on leave, Amir Hussain threatened to kill Delara’s family and vowed to create significant “problems” for them if Delara is exonerated. “

Both Delara’s sister and lawyer stated that although they occasionally receive threatening phone calls but they have no confirmation as to who makes such phone calls. According to Delara’s sister the past calls were “not by Amir Hossein”. It should be noted that in the event Delara is exonerated Amir Hossein may face death penalty.

We continue to encourage others to state the source of published news for readers, so they can independently verify the news than having to resort to contacting SCE for verifications. Additionally SCE campaign continues to encourage more responsible reporting of the information by others, as such “sensationalism” result in unnecessary additional distress on Delara’s family and supporters.

UK Sunday Mirror story on Delara Darabi

London Sunday Mirror with over 4 million readership has published a “double page spread on the centre pages” on Delara Darabi today. Stop Child Executions Campaign made the arrangement for the newspaper interview with Delara Darbi’s father. We also appreciate amnesty international’s (UK) assitance in making this newspaper coverage possible.   You can read the article here.

Reza Alinejad beaten by prison officials along with other inmates

In a phone conversation with Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Reza Alijenad’s brother Ali said that two days ago a fight broke out in the prison where Reza is being held. Although Reza had nothing to do with the fight but the prison officials took him along with other prisoners and beat them. This has really upset Reza’s mother and family.

Ali also told Nazanin that they are a family of 9 (7 brothers and sisters). He explained that it was after nearly 5 years of imprisonment and after Reza’s execution became more imminent that his mother found Nazanin’s name and suggested Ali to ask for her help. He thanked Nazanin for introducing them to Reza’s lawyer, Mr. Mostafaei and for bringing attention to Reza’s pending execution order as Reza was unknown before. Ali added that they very much appreciate the efforts of all the people who have been helping bring awareness to Reza’s case.

Stop Child Executions Campaign demands an official investigation and a public report by the Iranian officials of the beating by prison officials.  SCE campaign has also notified Amnesty international of this brutality. 

You can read more about Reza Alinejad here. To help save Reza from execution please sign the Stop Child Executions petition and visit HOW YOU CAN HELP.

Sina Paymand facing imminent execution

In an email to Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the attorney of the imprisoned musician, Sina Paymand wrote:   

 ”Sina Paymand’s father was able to gather $56 Million Rilas ($56,000 for blood money) but the family of the murdered are not accepting it. Therefore Sina is facing execution at any moment” .

SCE Campign is currently in process of gathering more information and contacting Amnesty International and other organizations

You can read about the young flute player on the execution row here.

To help save Sina please visit: HOW YOU CAN HELP. 

Painting of Delara 3 years before imprisonment

This is one of Delara Darbi’s paintings made 3 years prior to her imprisonment, or in her own words before she lost her colors. An exhibition of her paintings titled FREEDOM OF COLORS will be held in Amsterdam on April 28, 2007 . For location information you may visit: Pahuis dezwijger.nl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy: Shahrzanews.org