NCRI – Further to a statement by the Iranian Resistance on the imminent threat of execution of Mr. Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi, Amnesty International also expressed its concern and issued an URGENT ACTION appeal to save the life of Mr. Feyz Mahdavi. Following is the appeal by the AI:
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/032/2006
29 March 2006
UA 70/06 Imminent execution/unfair trial
IRAN Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi (m), aged 28
Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi is believed to be at imminent risk of execution in Gohar Dasht Prison, in the city of Karaj, near Tehran. According to reports, in recent weeks, he has received a number of threats from prison officials that he would be executed soon. On 24 March prison authorities reportedly showed Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi his death warrant, on which his date of execution was said to be scheduled for 16 May 2006, and forced him to sign it.
Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi is a supporter of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), an illegal opposition group which has in the past carried out armed attacks in Iran. He is believed to have been detained in 2001 and sentenced to death after being convicted of moharebeh (enmity with God, a term often applied to those accused of armed resistance to the state). He was reportedly tried before a Revolutionary Court, but did not have access to a lawyer.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Hojjat Zamani, a PMOI member who had received a similar pattern of threats, was executed on 7 February 2006 at Gohar Dasht Prison. His execution was confirmed officially only on 21 February (see UA 318/03, EUR 44/025/2003, 5 November 2003, and follow-ups).
Amnesty International recognizes the rights and responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but strongly opposes the death penalty as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and violation of the right to life.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Persian, Arabic, English or your own language:
– stating that Amnesty International recognizes the rights and responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but strongly opposes the death penalty as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and violation of the right to life;
– urging that the death sentence imposed on Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi be commuted immediately;
– seeking details of his trial, including details of the charges against him and any appeals he may have made;
– expressing concern at reports that he was not granted access to a lawyer during his trial and as such his trial did not meet international standards for fair trial, as laid down by Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a State Party.
