An Iranian prison guard has been sentenced to three years in prison for torturing to death a blogger who criticised the regime on the Internet.
Sattar Beheshti was arrested by the Iranian cyber-police on October 30, 2012, and died after being tortured four days later on November 3, 2012.
His death triggered a wave of international condemnation and protests against the clerical regime.
Mr Beheshti’s mother and family lawyer have now reacted angrily to the verdict n his killer, who was found guilty of unintentional killing instead of premeditated murder and sentenced to three years in prison, two years in exile and 74 lashes.
Sattar’s mother said of the court: “I do not recognize this court. My child was killed under torture. This verdict will encourage other murderers.”
Torture by itself is a crime against humanity under the Convention Against Torture which has been ratified and adopted by many countries.
Iran’s penal code is based on inhumane punishments and torture and the regime’s leaders should be prosecuted and brought to justice through the international courts.
