"Friends of a Free Iran intergroup in the European Parliament (FOFI) which consists of a large number of MEPs from different political parties, demands the immediate intervention of the American forces to free the 36 hostages still being detained by the Iraqi authorities. We also demand immediate intervention by the UN delegation in Iraq and the International Committee of the Red Cross. "
Press release 3 August 2009
Call for immediate release of 36 PMOI members taken hostage by the Iraqi government
On 2 August 2009, Major General Shamari, Iraq’s Diyala Province Police Commander, admitted that his forces have arrested 36 members of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI). They had been imprisoned outside Ashraf by Iraqi agents in a 3 x 4 room, subjected to beatings and torture, and had initiated a hunger strike. On Sunday, their cries could be heard all the way to Ashraf's main gate indicating that they were resisting being forcibly transferred to Baghdad. The Iranian regime has demanded the extradition or killing of these Ashraf residents through its agent, Ammar Hakim.
Last week, the Iraqi police and army brutally attacked defenceless residents of Ashraf Camp in Iraq who were protected persons under the Geneva Convention. 9 dead bodies were left in Ashraf and at least 3 others are reported to be in the hands of the Iraqis. Around 500 were wounded including women. These atrocities were carried out at the behest of the Iranian regime and its supreme leader Ali Khamenei by the direct orders of the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who must be held responsible for crimes against humanity.
Friends of a Free Iran intergroup in the European Parliament (FOFI) which consists of a large number of MEPs from different political parties, demands the immediate intervention of the American forces to free the 36 hostages still being detained by the Iraqi authorities. We also demand immediate intervention by the UN delegation in Iraq and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Struan Stevenson MEP
Chair, Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup
European Parliament
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Friends of a Free Iran intergroup in the European Parliament (FoFI)
Chair: Struan Stevenson, MEP (ECR)
Vice Chairs: Steven Hughes, MEP (PSE Vice-President); Soren Sondergaard, MEP (GUE); Jan Zahradil, MEP (ECR); Tunne Kelam (EPP);
