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"Hanging Judge"

But I forgot to say that a serious cause of concern for Derakhshan and all other political prisoners is to be tried in the courtroom of Judge Salavati, "The Hanging Judge" of IRI these days.  Abolghassem Salavati, who is presiding over Derakhshan's trial has a reputation for being a signature machine for Ministry of Intelligence's interrogators and authorities without any consideration for justice. 

Read about Judge Salavati here:  "Guilty as Charged" by Omid Memarian.

Dear Darius

From all accounts, this is what Hossein and his family had been begging for for months--a trial.  He has been in prison since November 2008 without a trial.  He was interrogated in IRI's usual ways with torture and isolation in solitary confinement.  He "confessed" to a bunch of "crimes."  Later, he retracted his "confessions," saying he had only confessed under duress.  News coming out of Evin about him has been disturbing.  He is obviously under pressure in prison, but he has also been isolated by other prisoners who mistrust him.  In the end, his and his family's biggest wish has been for the Iranian Judiciary to formally charge him and to hold his trial, ending this indeterminate state for Derakhshan. 

You can read about this in Hamzeh Ghalebi's blogs.  He says he spent some time with Derakhshan at Evin. 

//blog.ghalebi.ir/?p=118

I hope Hossein Derakhshan and all other political prisoners are released.  Hossein should be able to speak his mind freely just like everyone else should.

What a Shame ! ;0(

I hope he will not get a heavy sentence ...

So it was not a rumor after all ...