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Omid Memarian, Roozbeh Mirebrahimi, Shahram Rafizadeh, Javad Gholamtamimi

Four Journalists Sentenced to Prison, Floggings

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (New York, February 10, 2009) The sentencing of four Tehran bloggers by Iran’s Judiciary Court on February 3, 2009, to prison terms, fines and flogging, despite the head of the judiciary’s admission that they had been coerced into confessing, violates their right to a fair trial, Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. The four said shortly after their arrest in 2004 that they had been tortured during interrogation, but there has been no public investigation into these allegations despite a high-level promise to do so.

Authorities arrested Omid Memarian, Roozbeh Mirebrahimi, Shahram Rafizadeh, and Javad Gholamtamimi in September and October 2004, and detained them without charge. The four said that they were subjected in detention to physical and psychological abuse, as well as prolonged periods of solitary confinement in a secret detention center without access to counsel or family. Three of the men subsequently described the abuse at a meeting with Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, the head of the judiciary. On April 20, 2005, a judiciary spokesman said that an official investigation confirmed that their confessions had been coerced. “The interrogators and prosecutors committed a series of negligent and careless acts in this case that led to the abuse of the detainees’ words and writings in producing confession letters,” the spokesman said.

“These sentences are shocking, given that the head of the judiciary himself admitted the evidence had been obtained by coercion” said Joe Stork, deputy director of the Middle East division at Human Rights Watch. “The judges should be investigating and prosecuting abusers, not their victims.”

Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called on the Tehran Appeals Court to overturn the sentences, and on the government to investigate the torture claims.

The four journalists were released on bail in late 2004. Memarian, Mirebrahimi, and Rafizadeh subsequently left Iran and are living abroad. Gholamtamimi resides in Iran.

Judiciary authorities informed lawyers for the four on February 4 that Branch 1059 of Tehran’s Judiciary Court sentenced them each to prison terms of up to three years and three months, and to be flogged. Memarian was also fined 500,000 tomans (US$520). The known charges against them include “participating in the establishment of illegal organizations,” “membership in illegal organizations,” “propaganda against the state,” “disseminating lies,” and “disturbing public order.” Gholamtamimi was also charged with treason.

The lawyers for the four include the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi, who told Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that they would “definitely appeal” the sentences.

Memarian, Mirebrahimi, and Rafizadeh met with Ayatollah Shahroudi on January 10, 2005, and described physical and psychological torture at the hands of a specific interrogator, whom they said identified himself as “Keshavarz” (farmer). They said the magistrate in charge was known as “Mehdipour.”

“We trusted Shahroudi,” said Mirebrahimi, who worked as a consultant with Human Rights Watch in 2008. “He told us, ‘Don’t tell anyone what happened to you in prison and I promise I will solve the problem.’”

The apparent purpose of the abuse was to extract confessions that implicate reformist politicians and civil society activists in activities such as spying and violating national security laws [see Human Rights Watch]. According to the three men, both the interrogator and the magistrate repeatedly delivered messages and threats to the detainees on behalf of the chief prosecutor of Tehran. Shahroudi’s spokesman announced on January 12, 2005 that, “Shahroudi has issued a special order to investigate and probe these [detentions]. If any of the detainees’ allegations, at any level, are true then we will prosecute the violators.” To date, the government has not made the full findings of any investigation public, nor has it announced any penalties or prosecution for the abuse.

“Either the Iranian judges are not listening to Ayatollah Shahroudi, or he has reneged on his promise to investigate the torturers and not the bloggers,” said Hadi Ghaemi, coordinator of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. “These brave journalists stood up for their rights. It’s high time the Iranian judiciary stood up for justice.”

Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran have documented extensive patterns of forced confessions, arbitrary detentions, and prison torture against opposition political activists, journalists, and anyone perceived as a critic. ()/www.hrw.org.

For the latest human rights developments in Iran visit the Campaign’s website at www.iranhumanrights.org.

For more information, please contact:

In Washington, DC, Joe Stork (English): +1-202-612-4327; or +1-202-299-4925 (mobile)
In New York, Hadi Ghaemi, (English, Persian): +1-917-669-5996 (mobile)

from Hadi Ghaemi
10-Feb-2009
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honesty and proportionality

by Mehrnaz (not verified) on Wed Feb 11, 2009 02:22 PM PST

Thank you for posting. Abuse of human rights, unlawful arrest and imprisonment, absence of due process and torture are ugly and indefensible, regardless of where they take place. The suffering goes beyond the immediate victims and the atmosphere of intimidation it means to induce, it destroys our unity and pride as a nation and makes us vulnerable to external threats, it endangers Iran's security.

The repulsion against Israel's abuse of the most basic human rights of the Palestinians, the racist colonial occupation of their country and the squalid conditions in which they perish (not live), does not stand in opposition to repulsion against abuses in Iran, in fact since the abuse and violence endured by the Palestinians is on an INCOMPARABLY larger scale, those who are genuinely concerned about human rights in Iran, would be equally concerned and proportionately appalled by the scale of human tragedy in Palestine.


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Anonymous Observer

Abarmard

by Anonymous Observer on Wed Feb 11, 2009 08:46 AM PST

Understood.  Thank you.


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Abarmard

Anonymous Observer

by Abarmard on Wed Feb 11, 2009 09:09 AM PST

Sorry to have upset you. Your comment was not related to the issue and perhaps was set to divide rather than unite against injustice that had happen. You are free and should criticize whoever you like.

My message was not directed to you but did include you in some ways and I am sorry about that. If I talked about Israel was only based on a response and nothing else. Actually I am tired of relating everything to Israel also, but perhaps the strong anti and pro Israeli crowd here won't let it go.

Sorry again and enjoy rest of your day:)


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Anonymous Observer

Abarmard

by Anonymous Observer on Wed Feb 11, 2009 08:31 AM PST

If you referring to my comment, and calling me and Kaveh Por ru or "khoroos be mahal", please note that I could not give a rats ass about what happens in Israel.  My point is exactly the opposite.  I see that everyone on this site is obsessed with what happens in the Israeli / palestinian conflict instead of human rights abuses that take place in Iran.  I am criticizing those who have abandoned the issues in their own country and instead talk about human rights abuses in other places in the world.  If you ask me, I think that both Israel and Hamas are bunch of assh***s who like to kill each other.  But that's not the subject here.     

And please stop it with the name calling, the lies and the demonization.  What do you mean "their countries"? 

agah jaan har kas keh as jomhooriyeh islami integhaad mikonad keh israeli neest.  What do you keep repeating IRI's mantra?  They are the ones that call all their opponents "Zionist spies", and here you are repeating the same nonsense.   Come up with something new.  This whole "Israeli" accusation thing is getting old and boring....   

 


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Abarmard

Funny

by Abarmard on Wed Feb 11, 2009 08:18 AM PST

Some people can't stop working hard to switch the issue to their countries' behalf! 

It might be news to some of you, that although there are heated discussion about some tiny country in the middle east here in the Iranian.com, not everyone cares about it. They have many things to workout for their own for a long future a head.

In the mean time, those who care will not divert their attention from what matters to our country, Iran. And this is about Iran.

This is what we call in Iran: Khorus e bee mahal, :) and in many neighborhoods: bache por ru.

 

 


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Anonymous Observer

Kaveh and MRX1

by Anonymous Observer on Wed Feb 11, 2009 08:36 AM PST

You are both right.  First, I think that this is a "Zionist conspiracy", just like all other evidence of human rights abuses in Iran.  Second, where are all the peace loving defenders on human rights on Iranian.com?  Oh, wait.  They're waiting for the fax to come in from Tehran to tell them how to spin this one!


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Abarmard

Toofantheoncesogreat , That's great

by Abarmard on Wed Feb 11, 2009 07:19 AM PST

JJ, please consider what Toofantheoncesogreat has suggested. Possibly any Iranian who has been captured should be put on a section with historical background and a timer indicating the "missing" period. 

The users can submit the information and you can post them. Certainly that is as important as the "events" section on this page. 

 


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Flogging, executions

by bikar (not verified) on Wed Feb 11, 2009 05:53 AM PST

This is not new, for thirty years Islamic republic has flogged, executed thousands of true Iranians(parsies ), in front of other Iranians, they have stood and watched , they have never thought of not showing up for these crimes , or if they are by chance there to turn their backs, and hoping someday it is not their turn.
So I say you ripe what you sew, if you don’t respect your being and allow it to happen to you may be you deserve it and I don’t mean flogging and hanging ,but who is doing to you. I am ashamed; my head is bowed in respect to the person being flogged.


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A suggestion about Derrakshan

by Toofantheoncesogreat (not verified) on Wed Feb 11, 2009 05:28 AM PST

Maybe Iranian.com should do what haaretz.com has done with that kidnapped Israeli soldier, post his picture, together with other writers etc on the front page, and add a clock timer that shows how long they have been missing. Something like this? Or maybe have a "missing" page on this site that honours them and gather information about them? I doubt you will have problems finding people who could update that part of the site for free..


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Azarin Sadegh

Dear Nazy, Dear Irandokht,

by Azarin Sadegh on Wed Feb 11, 2009 02:16 AM PST

Oh my....of course my comment wasn't about you and Irandokht!! I wasn't talking to any specific member of IC!! 

You two are one of the most active members of IC who really do care about Human rights in Iran and anywhere else in the world!....It sounds so silly that I have to explain it to you too!!! You were supposed to back me up here...:0)

I was referring to other blogs like the one about Iranian women, etc... with 100+ comments!  Or the lighter blogs and stories with 50+ comments about sexual stuff...

About the value of commenting: Like you Nazy Jan, I usually don't comment on everything I read, unless it is really really good or really really bad!! Still, I always check the blogs in the list of the most discussed and I'm sure many of the readers do the same thing! The number of comments is one of the only two measures of visibility for a blog as much as I know...

Omid Memarian is not my friend and I don't know him personally, (and I had never heard of his ordeal 5 years ago) but as I said I was just surprised that this important news about one of our IC writers was going unnoticed...That's all!

Now, I'm so happy to know that he is not in Iran anymore... such  a big relief!

Azarin 

 


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Darius Kadivar

Gulp ...

by Darius Kadivar on Wed Feb 11, 2009 01:53 AM PST

Another whose Predicament is unsure is Hossein Derakhshan also an Iranian.com Feature Writer. Remember Him ?

Maybe this is an opportunity to do an Internet Campaign with updates and reminders like with SCE about the case of bloggers and other Human rights Violations in Iran regarding equally Men, Woman and children in our Homeland.

We Need to Get Our Priorities Straight if we wish to be effective.

My Humble Opinion,

DK


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Ari Siletz

Thank your for posting and reminding

by Ari Siletz on Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:33 AM PST

I spoke with Memarian face to face last year and asked him about his ordeal. That's when I realized how inadequate written words can be. Nothing you can read or see in pictures prepares you for how you feel when a man tells you he has been tortured and humiliated. No matter how calmly Memarian spoke and how collected his gentle manner, the ghosts wouldn't go away. They showed up in the fearful dilation of the eye when I said a simple word like "room." They showed up in the slight quiver of voice when he said, "my mother."  Pain hurts so much worse when another human inflicts it. Unbearable when it is inflicted in the name of Good.

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Nazy Kaviani

Dear Azarin and IRANdokht

by Nazy Kaviani on Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:58 PM PST

I am familiar with this case and Omid Memarian is a friend of mine.

These young Iranian bloggers were arrested five years ago and released on bail. At least three of them, Omid Memarian, Roozbeh Mirebrahimi, and Shahrouz Rafizadeh now live outside of Iran. Omid is attending UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.

This case was a horrible case of mistreatment of these young bloggers. A fact finding team assigned to investigate the arrests, imprisonments and forced confessions of these young bloggers prepared a report to that effect and Ayatollah Shahroudi himself promised them the case would be dropped. Such heavy sentences five years later are completely unwarranted and unjust. Imprisonment and flogging of people who have done nothing but to write their opinions is a serious violation of their human rights.

I don't understand what the hoopla is about "commenting" on any kind of post. I read many things and seldom leave comments. Does that prove my irresponsibility, somehow? I visit posts pertaining to human rights and sign petitions but seldom leave comments. Is there some kind of competition here about whose heart bleeds more? I can assure you my heart bleeds plenty on a regular basis. I don't have to prove myself, my beliefs, and motivations to anyone. I only have to live with myself, knowing that I have acted as responsibly as possible.


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IRANdokht

Dear Azarin et al.

by IRANdokht on Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:34 PM PST

I can't speak for others, but this is the first time I see this article and the fact that I had not commented should not be counted as my indifference about this issue.
It's getting really tiring when people keep leaving "shame on them" comments on all human rights articles.

This is outrageous! Just like all human rights violations in the world are! Condemning cruel and illegal treatment of people does not have limits of location and nationality. 

I am not sure what we can do and how we can help. But for now, I'll make sure to spread the word.
I am totally shocked, I didn't know Omid Memarian was in Iran. I have to admit he's the only one that I recognize but that doesn't change the fact that people are being tortured and imprisoned for writing!

IRANdokht


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Azarin Sadegh

So terrible...

by Azarin Sadegh on Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:23 PM PST

I can't believe that one of the Iranian.com's writers is being tortured and sentenced to be flogged, etc and there is only 5 comments here...I guess dear IC readers are more interested in lighter subjects, like "diaries of a prostitute" or, blaming Iranian women for being hairy or Jews and Bahais for the rest of the world problems... 

Now, what should we do? Is there a way to do something for them?

Azarin 


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Enemy

by Iran Sarbaz (not verified) on Tue Feb 10, 2009 09:14 PM PST

The enemy of Iran and Iranians has a dirty name and is called islam and i will Faith this garbage to my last breath.{long Live Iran}


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Abarmard

This is horrible

by Abarmard on Tue Feb 10, 2009 07:46 PM PST

And it doesn't cut the atrocious acts of those who commit crimes against humanity be it your country or mine. It's not an either/or. I see that, do you?


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ganselmi

To MRX1

by ganselmi on Tue Feb 10, 2009 06:35 PM PST

You are brilliant -- LOL!


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MRX1

This has got to be

by MRX1 on Tue Feb 10, 2009 04:31 PM PST

work of jews and Neocons with sole puirpose of making our fabulous republic so bad!


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Kaveh Nouraee

Meanwhile...

by Kaveh Nouraee on Tue Feb 10, 2009 03:16 PM PST

The "Usual Suspects" of Iranian.com are nowhere to be found, having decided that their combined energy should be directed at either Palestinian issues.

Either that or they're looking to see where Jews and Baha'is can be blamed for this.


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