Dear Mr. Ban Ki-Moon,
Recently we have received very disturbing news from Iran, concerning the case of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiaani. The recent news indicate that Sakineh, a 43 year old woman imprisoned in Tabriz who has been sentenced to death by stoning by the Islamic Republic of Iran, is now in serious danger of execution by hanging. For the past three years I have actively been involved in Sakineh’s case, trying to save her from the death penalty she has been condemned to, and I am therefore aware of all the details of this case.
I am appealing to you to intervene immediately in order to help to save Sakineh’s life. First Sakineh was sentenced to 99 lashes and then to stoning by the Province Court of Tabriz (capital city of Eastern Azerbaijan) accused of ‘adultery’ and the sentence had subsequently been confirmed by the Supreme Court in Tehran. There is another ongoing investigation concerning the murder of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s husband, and according to the documents of the regime’s own courts, Ashtiani has been deemed innocent and another person convicted for the murder of Sakineh’s husband; this accused person has confessed the murder and has already been arrested and imprisoned.
Now, thanks to Sakineh Mohammadi’s children attempt to help save their mother’s life and the powerful international pressure, the regime is trumping up charges against Sakineh, accusing her of murdering her husband.
On Wednesday 11th August 2010 Sakineh was shown on a state-run TV program to make a public confession. The TV program is called “20:30” and is the Islamic Republic’s most broadcasted program. During the emission Mrs. Ashtiani was reading from a paper in her hands and her speech was very unclear. During the program, they read a text accusing Mrs. Ashtiani of being involved in the murder of her husband, which is a lie. The fact that she has been sentenced to death by lapidating was not mentioned, nor discussed in this program The significance of this TV program is that the Islamic government is attempting to legitimate before the public opinion their decision and we fear that the death sentence will take place very soon..
We would like to inform you that there is no civil accusation against Mrs. Ashtiani. It is the Tabriz authorities and government officials that are acting as prosecutors, and for some reason they want to kill her at all costs.
It is not the first time that Iran has put an innocent victim on a televised program and killed them after, based of their forced confessions – unfortunately it has happened many times.
Propaganda against Neda Agha Soltan was spread after her death by the Islamic Republic, accusing her family of planning her death; and there was a campaign against Taraneh Mousavi, accusing her family of her death, while it was well known that she had been raped and murdered in prison under the responsibility of the Islamic Republic.
These are only a few examples of the “justice methods” used by the Islamic Republic.
I want to raise the warning about the fact that we fear that the Islamic regime intends to execute Sakineh immediately.
We send you enclosed to this letter all documents that prove that the case of Sakineh had once been reviewed in the courts of Azerbaijan and she was not convicted for the murder of her husband.
On behalf of Sakiness’ children I appeal to you for a delegation to be sent to Iran in order to properly investigate all these allegations and re-review the case of Sakineh immediately.
Mr. Ban Ki-Moon! Sakineh’s case is just one example of the hundreds of injustices that are happening in Iran.
Today, there are 170 people sentenced to death in the Tabriz prison. Four of them are women who are sentenced to stoning. There are dozens of imprisoned homosexuals in the Tabriz prison. Among those detained there is a 15 year old boy who is also sentenced to death. His crime is that he is gay. He shares the cell with adult men who are criminals. He has written to us and called for help. These atrocities occur daily in Iran. There is an urgent need for a broad global action.
According to our sources in Iran, all these people are in great danger. Yet once again I urge you to act immediately to save Sakineh´s life and all other victims of the Islamic Regime.
Thanks and regards,
Mina Ahadi, Spokesperson
International Committee Against Execution
International Committee Against Stoning
2010-08-13
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