Firouzi Faces Death Penalty

U R G E N T

A C T I O N

F O L L O W U P

The following information is from Amnesty International's research headquarters in London, England.

Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270 Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: sharriso@aiusa.org
http://www.amnesty-usa.org/urgact/
Phone: 303 440 0913 Fax:303 258 7881

Note: Please write on behalf of this person even though you may not have received the original UA when issued on January 29, 1998. Thanks!

11 May 1998
Further information on UA 30/98 issued 29 January 1998 and re- issued 9 February 1998 and 18 March 1998

Death penalty/Fear of imminent execution/Possible prisoner of conscience

IRAN : Morteza Firouzi, aged 43, former editor-in-chief of the English- language daily, the Iran News

Amnesty International is gravely concerned at press reports that Iran's Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence against Iranian journalist Morteza Firouzi following a final review of his case. Amnesty International fears that Morteza Firouzi may now face imminent execution. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Morteza Firouzi may be stoned to death. His sole chance of escaping the death penalty rests with the possibility of a pardon by the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Morteza Firouzi was sentenced to death in January 1998, reportedly on charges of 'spying' and 'adultery', after a secret trial. An appeal against the sentence was rejected by the Supreme Court in early February. Reports in March, however, suggested that Morteza Firouzi's death sentence may have been lifted following intervention by the President of Iran, Mohammad Khatami, and the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi. Further reports then indicated that his case would instead be returned to the Supreme Court for reconsideration.

Amnesty International is dismayed by the Supreme Court's latest and apparently final decision upholding the death sentence against Morteza Firouzi. The organization has written on a number of occasions to the Iranian Government seeking full details of the charges against Morteza Firouzi and of the proceedings of his trial, but no response has been received. In the absence of clarification from the Iranian authorities, Amnesty International is concerned that the charges brought against Morteza Firouzi may be politically motivated and that, if this is the case, he may be a prisoner of conscience.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Morteza Firouzi, a political analyst, is founder and editor-in-chief of Iran News, an English-language newspaper. He has been held in custody since his arrest in June 1997. His arrest and death sentence have triggered a wave of anxiety among Iranian journalists.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters: - expressing concern that Morteza Firouzi may be at risk of imminent execution and urging that the death sentence against him be lifted immediately; - seeking urgent clarification of the charges against Morteza Firouzi and details of the trial proceedings that resulted in his death sentence; - asking for his immediate and unconditional release if he is being held for his non-violent opinions or beliefs.

APPEALS TO:

1) Leader of the Islamic Republic: His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei,
Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
c/o The Presidency,
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Telegrams: Ayatollah Khamanei, Tehran, Iran
Faxes: 011 98 21 650203 (via Interior Ministry, ask for fax to be forwarded)

2) President: Mohammad Khatami,
The Presidency,
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Telegrams: President Khatami, Tehran, Iran
Faxes: 011 98 21 674790 (via Foreign Affairs, ask for fax to be forwarded)

3) Head of the Judiciary: Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi
Ministry of Justice Park-e Shahr
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran

Telegrams: Head of the Judiciary, Tehran, Iran

4) Deputy Head of the Judiciary and Head of the Clemency and Amnesty Commission: Ayatollah Karimi
Office of the Deputy Chief Justice
Bab Homayoon Ave,
Dadgostari (Justice) Palace
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Telegrams: Deputy Head of the Judiciary, Tehran, Iran

COPIES TO: Minister of Foreign Affairs
Kamal Kharrazi
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Avenue
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran

Faxes: 011 98 21 674790

Mohammad Hassan Zia'i-Far,
Secretary,
Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 13165-137
Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran

Faxes: 011 98 21 204 0541

in lieu of an embassy, please send copies of your appeals to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007

Related links

* Iran News
* Complete list of Iranian online media
* Cover stories
* Who's who

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