Iran: elect?

The Guardian Council announced the names of four approved candidates for the presidential elections.
The names are: former prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi who is not officially linked to a political party, former parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi for the reformists and , Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the Principlist.
source: Press TV


In recent days a website is launched which calls itself RoozOnline, but has fake news and reports and aims to the goals of Ahmadinejad’s campaign.
Its extension is .ir instead of .com.
This website is under the control of the Center for Research in Pure Physics and Mathematics founded by Mohammad Larijani, who is connected with the security apparatus in Iran.
The website publishes fake news and reports against reformist presidential candidates.
The site is run by Mehrdad Bazrpash, a close associate of the President since many years and currently managing director of Saipa Automobiles.
Already in the past, Internet sites that were critical of Ahmadinejad administration in Iran had been stolen and used by those affiliated to Ahmadinejad’s reelection campaign offices.
Examples are, “Ghalam Press” was the fake site for “Ghalam” which belongs to presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi.
“Kalameh News” is another site which stole the name “Kalameh” which also belongs to Mousavi.
“Baztab.com” is another site which has copied the name of “Baztab.ir” which belongs to Mohsen Rezae.
source: roozonline.com


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: ban

Daily Kayhan reported Tuesday that in the city of Dezful a man is hanged.
The man, Ahmad A. was convicted of drugstrafficking of 23kg of heroin.
Further information was not given.
source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com



The reformist newspaper and mouthpiece of the Participation Front, Yas-e-no was banned immediately after it brought out its first issue in five years.
It was closed on Tehran prosecutor general Said Mortazavi’s request by Commission for Press Authorisation and Surveillance (an offshoot of Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance).
The 16 May issue openly supported Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the reformist presidential candidate backed by the Participation Front.
In 2004 Yas-e-No and Sharq were closed after publishing extracts of a letter from reformist parliamentarians to the Supreme Leader Khamenei, blaming him for what they called an “electoral coup d’etat,” namely a ban on many pro-reform candidates.
Yas-e-No won a five years during judicial battle ending February with a fine from 150 Euros for the editor Mohammad Naimipour.
Mir-Hossein Mousavi brought out the first issue of his own newspaper, Kalameh Sabz, today.
Womans rights activist and journalist Nikzad Zangane who defends women’s rights in her blog, was released yesterday after being held for 17 days.
Four other journalists who also were arrested May 1st in Tehran are still detained.
The number of journalists and bloggers who are currently detained in Iran is 13.
source: Reporters without Borders

In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: solitary

At a celebration on May 1, a number of workers were detained.A number of detainees were members of metal workers’ and mechanics’ unions and were arrested during a gathering in a location from the union.
They were later transferred to solitary cells in Evinprison in Tehran, in section 240.
Their names are:
Hussein Akbari, Satar Amini, Mohammad Gilani, Abdullah Vatankhah, Hasan Shafa, Hamid Sharafi, Aziz Yari, Mostafa Hatami, Naser Ebrahimi, Jamshid Rajabi, Davoud Mirzai, Aziz Mohammadi, Nabi Marofi, Asadullah Eghbali and Nodehi.
source: ihrv.org


Rferl has edited a documentary video co-produced by advocate against child execution, attorney Mohammad Mostafaei.




source: Stop Child Executions


About 1,500 social activists in Iran issued a statement in which they called for an end to the execution of criminals below the age of 18.
In this statement they ask among other things Iran to follow the international convention to support the rights of children and unison with many Islamic countries who have accepted the rule that each life is precious and act in that regard.
source: ihrv.org


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: private

In Adelabadprison in Shiraz were five man hanged on May 13.
The daily Etemad reported that they were unidentified.
one man was convicted of murdering his wife in April 2006,
one man was charged with the murder of his friend in June 2006,
one man was charged with the murder of his mother and father in law in May 2003,
a 24 years old man charged with murder of a 45 years old man in July 2006,
a 25 years old man charged with murder of a man in September 2004
source: iranhr.net

The daily Etemad reported that May 16 in the prison of Isfahan three men were hanged.
Mahmood, convicted for murder, Alireza Ch. convicted for drugstrafficking, and a third, unidentified man who is convicted for drugstrafficking.
The ages were not given.
source: iranhr.net


Monday, Bank Tejarat will begin to sell 5% of its stake and will be the second statebank to be privatized.
At least 60 percent of the offered shares must be sold for the sell-off to be considered valid.The sell comes 3 months after Bank Mellat sold 5% of its shares to private investors.
The supervising manager from Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) says that the financial state of the market is much better as the All-Shares Price Index (TEPIX) has greatly improved since then.
source: Press TV


Daily Etemad reports that since the start of the Iranian New Year exploded landmines have already taken eight lives. The landmines exploded in an area that by Iran’s Landmine Clearing (IRMAK) already was declared free of mines.
Since then four explosions in the city of Sardasht, two cases in the city of Saghez and two cases in Oshnoyeh have occurred.
This despite the fact that two months ago the landmine clearing operation had already been completed in the provinces of Western Azerbaijan and Kurdistan.
source: ihrv.org



In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: turn

Despite criticism of the Guardian Council and others about his round of provincial tours, president Ahmadinejad will kick off them. Ahmadinejad says that provincial visits are a vital part of his responsibilities and that he will continue to do such tours.
The criticism is accusing him of "using state facilities and funds for pre-election campaign gains."
The Guardian Council extended the process of vetting candidates for five days.
Initially the list should be published May 15.
source: Press TV



The head of Central Bank of Iran (CBI) says that totally 7 foreign banks are interested in opening branches in Iran.
Last month a daily reported that four American banks, including Citibank and Goldman Sachs have applied for approval to open a branch in Iran. The daily Jaam-e Jam reported, without mentioning names, that the banks submitted formal requests to the CBI and if the CBI approves their request,they get a permit to set up a temporary branch in an Iranian free trade zone.
If they can work according to Iran's banking laws, they will be allowed to open branches in Tehran and other cities.
It is the first time since the Revolution of 1979, that Iran plans to allow branches of foreign banks. In 2008 the privatization law came into effect.
source: Press TV


The trial against Ali Nikonesbati ex-chairman of public relations in the Office of Strengthening Unity, will be held on Wednesday in branch 1038 of the General Court.
Nikonesbati is charged with holding an interview with IlNA and expressing his opposition against the profiling of students, the insulting of a female student by security guards in Kermanshah, and criticism of the repressive policies of the Ministry of Education.
Bahareh Hedayat and Farid Hashemi,executive members from the same office are also summoned to appear for the same court.
According to Amir Kabir Newsletter the parents of Milaud Asadi, and the mother of Nariman Mostafavi have appeared before the same Revolutionary Court to present their final defense in connection with their detentions, which took place during a gathering in front of Evin Prison in the first day of the Persian New Year.
source: ihrv.org


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: more or less

Human Rights Watch reports that May 14, a year ago, six Bahaileaders were arrested, while the seventh was detained earlier.
HRW urges their immediate release or be tried so they can defend themselves in fair and open proceedings against the serious charges against them. They have been charged with spying for Israel, "insulting religious sanctities," and spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic.
None have had access to a lawyer.
Also, prison officials at Evin prison in Tehran informed relatives last week that they also will be charged with "spreading corruption on Earth" (mofsede fel arz).
This offense is punishable by death.



Six national leaders of Bahaifaith were arrested May 14, 2008 at their homes in Tehran.
Their names are Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli, en Vahid Tizfahm. A seventh, Mahvash Sabet,secretary of the national community organization, was arrested May 5, 2008 in Mashad.
source: Human Rights Watch



The released journalist Roxana Saberi left this morning from Imam Khomeini Airportin Tehran for Austria.
One of Saberi's lawyers said the spy charges against her were based on documents she obtained and copied on the U.S. war in Iraq.She never used them, although.
Iranian intelligence minister Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi said Wednesday that Saberi was guilty of spying, noting that her reduced sentence meant she had not been acquitted of all charges.
source: voanews.com



Iran will join an international armada protecting ships from piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
In a letter to UN secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Khazaei, said that two Iranian warships will sail within two das for a five-month patrol mission in international water mnear the Somalian Coast.
The warships will especially make effort to protect ships and oil tankers from Iran.
Also EU, USA, NATO and other states have warships been stationed in the region.
source: Press TV


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: meaning

Daily Iran reports that in the prison of Qazvin a man, Mohammad and a woman Azita were hanged.
They were convicted for drugstrafficking.
source: iranhr.net



Free-lance journalist Saman Rasoulpour is arrested May 12 in Mahabad, just two days after some 200 Kurds staged a peaceful demonstration in Mahabad to demand the overturning of the death sentences imposed on journalists Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed “Hiva” Botimar, and Kurdish teacher Farzad Kamangar.
Rasoulpour (23) is a writer for several newspapers and is a member of the executive committee of the Organisation for the Defence of Human Rights in Kurdistan.
He was arrested at his home by intelligence ministry agents who confiscated many documents and took him to an unknown location.
Hassanpour, 28, and Botimar, 30, were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in Marivan July 16, 2007 for “subversive activities against national security",”spying" and “separatist propaganda.”, but the sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court on procedural grounds.
The court in Marivan reimposed Botimar’s death sentence in April of this year while Hassanpour is awaiting a new trial.
source: RSF



At battles between Kurdish guerrillas and Iranian paramilitary Basijforces in the West Azerbaijan province are five militants and three Iranians killed.
Iranian drones and military aircraft reportedly struck several Kurdish targets inside Iraq in recent days against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan, (PEJAK).
source: upi.com



The Supreme Leader in his speech yesterday in the city of Sanandaj, referred to the upcoming presidential elections in Iran and gave his implicit support to Ahmadinejad.He said that someone who has the support of people and has simple and humble life style, someone who shares the suffering of people must be elected.These are descriptions pointing to the support to Ahmadinejad by the regime.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran says that Ahmadinejad continues with his measures to prepare for rigging ballots.
He already removed 16 personnel of the body within the Interior Ministry which handles the conduct of election,and replaced them with people closely affiliated to him.
In the daily Aftab Mousavi Ardebili, former head of judiciary said there is also money given in exchange for votes.
source: ncr-iran.org


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: move

Daily Etemad reported that May 11 in the prison of the city of Isfahan two men were hanged.
The men, Mostafa (26) and Hossein were convicted for murder.
The report said also that in the prison of the city of Zahedan two men, Mohammad Mehdi and Reza Gholi were executed for drugstrafficking.
The site "Human rights and democracy actvists in Iran", writes that Sunday May 10 also a man is hanged and that May 13 Reza Choopani (40) en Mohsen Sadeghi (36) were executed in the prison of Isfahan.
Reports say that May 2 Abbas, aka "Abbas Hassan Ashpaz" is hanged in the Choobindarprison of Qazvin.
source: iranhr.net


May 12 is in more than 16 countries a virtual vigil held to support the two detained Aids-doctors Arash en Kamiar Alaei.
May 6, their lawyers filed a final appeal of their sentencing under article 18 of Iran’s Constitution. This is their last chance to have their day in court, be acquitted of the charges and resume their lifesaving HIV/AIDS work in Iran and elsewhere.
Here is a petition to support them and asking the Head of the Iranian Judiciary to drop the charges and release them.
source: freethedocs.com


The Guardian Council says it will not allow Iranian President Ahmadinejad to carry out planned provincial tours in the run-up to the elections.He intended, accompanied by members of his cabinet, to visit the province Semnan after officially signing up on Friday to run for president.
Visits by the president would be from now on regarded as part of his election campaign activity and must not make use of state facilities and funds.
source Press-TV


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: development

Yesterday is Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi released from Evin prison.
The verdict of eight years in prison is by an appealcourt reduced to a two-year suspended term and a ban from working as a reporter in Iran for five years.
There are speculations why the appealcourt the charge of espionage changed to "possessing classified information" , and reduced the sentence.
A press adviser to Iranian President Ahmadinejad said when asked whether Saberi's release was intended as a sign of goodwill toward President Obama,that people has to draw their own conclusions.
Saberi did not leave Iran yet.
source: Washington Post



Ex-political prisoner and an associate in the Coalition of Human Rights Advocates in Iran Jafar Aghdami has been sentenced to five years imprisonment.
He was released in 2007 after spending four years in the Rajae Shahr Prison, and he was arrested again in September 2008 after participating in a ceremony held in Khavaran Cemetery to pay tribute to prisoners who were mass murdered in 1988.
He spent seven months in solitary confinement in Section 209 in Evin Prison.
source: ihrv.org




The newsagency ANP reported that mayor Leers of Maastricht (The Netherlands) has heard (Dutch) from the Iranian Embassy that the prisonterm for Abdullah al-Mansouri may be reduced from thirty years to fifteen years.
It is three years ago that Abdullah al-Mansouri was captured in Syria and extradited to Iran.Last year he was convicted to thirty years in prison.
Amnesty International claims that al-Mansouri did not get a fair trial.
Soon future Leers has a conversation with the Iranian Ambassador about al-Mansouri.
source: Dagblad De Limburger


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: interpretation

Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi is in appeal convicted to a 2-years suspended jailterm and has been released from Evinprison, her lawyer said.
source: Foxnews




Of the 475 people who signed up as candidates for the presidential elections, 40 are women.
The most prominent female figure to register for the elections, is Rafat Bayat, a former member of parliament and sociologist, who was rejected as a candidate, four years ago.
Under the Islamic Republic constitution, candidates for the presidency be among "rejal", a word meaning 'men' in Arabic but translates into renowned political figures in Persian.
In the past the word has caused controversy while some interpretations claim that the constitution bars women from running for president.
The constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, declared in April that there is no restriction on women standing in the presidential elections.
Abbas-Ali Kadkodaye, a spokesman for the Guardian Council said that the council has never put an interpretation on the word 'rejal'.
source: Press-TV


The head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), said that Iranian oil production has passed 4.3 million barrels per day.
Iranian oil reserves have grown over the past year to 138 billion barrels.
The country is trying to increase its production by a number of major projects, to develop smaller oilfields as well as increasing output from existing fields.
Iran plans to open some of its oil and gas fields to foreign investment to help boost output to 5.3 million barrels per day by 2015.
source: Press-TV


Narges Mohammadi, and Soraya Azizpanah from human rights organization Human Rights Defenders Centre are Friday prevented from traveling to Guatemala at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran.
They were on their way to Guatemala to speak about the role of women in democracy at a conference being held from May 10 to 12.
Their passports were taken and they have to report to the revolutionary court.
source: thepeninsulaqatar.com



In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: change

Iranian government has issued a decree obliging Iranian and foreign companies, as foreign individuals to to obtain identity cards for administrative purposes.
Nourlaw.com reports that Article 2 of the "By-law for Allocation of a National Identification Code to all Iranian and Juridical Persons" must achieve greater transparency concerning the activities of companies and other juridical entities.
The cards are to be issued no later than 18 months from the 18 April 2009 notification of the new decree.
Companies, organizations and foreign individuals are obliged to inform the relevant registration body of any changes in the participations on the card, as well as in the authorizations before or upon the expiration date of the card, in order to be issued a correctly modified card.
The registrations are stored in a database for the easy access of other organizations and the public.
Article 16 of this decree mentions that the national identification number of the juridical persons and the postal code of their headquarters must appear on any business card, permit or certificate of activities, promotional material, financial statements and the like.
Non-compliance will result in refusal to extend any permits, facilities, contracts and tender participation to all entities without the national identification number.
source: Press-TV


The head of the Election Headquarters in Iran reports at the closing of registration that 475 applicants have registered.
The youngest applicant was 19-year old and the oldest was 86-year old.
The Guardian Council has started procedure to confirm qualification of the candidates.
Failed candidates have four days to appeal.
The final list will be announced May 22 and the campaign will be going on for 20 days.
The presidental election takes place June 12.
source: IRNA



According to IRNA, Saturday, the spokesman for the judiciary said the number of prisoners in Iran is decreasing.
He says there are 163,000 prisoners in Iran. 4 percent is female.
CNN reports that he also said that amendments on laws have been sent to parliament for approval, regarding cases involving unnecessary executions.
sources: IRNA en CNN


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl

Iran: confirm

ISCA reported that in the city of Shiraz 2 men are hanged.
The men, A. M. en A.R., (29 and 36) were convicted for drugstrafficking.
source: iranhr.net


The report of the stoning in March of a man in Rashtprison is confirmed by the spokesman for the judiciary. The man was convicted for adultery.
Another man Mohammad Ali Navid Khamami is at risk of death by stoning in the same prison.
source: iranhr.net


President Ahmadinejad registered as a candidate for the elections.
The Secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei and the last prime minister of Iran, Mir Hussein Mousavi and the former speaker for parliament, Mehdi Karroubi also registered.
A 12-year-old-boy also registered as a candidate for presidency.
The Guardian Council will vet all candidates and announce who can enter the election.
source: Press TV



The appeal case of Roxana Saberi will be held at Sunday.
Her lawyer says that the defense, which has been submitted to the court in 15 pages, will be heard carefully.and he is optimistic about the outcome.
She has been convicted to eight years in prison, on charges of spionage, after her arrest in January.
source: Press TV



Familymembers of the activists who were arrested May 1st, are still encountering contradictory responses from the officials.
May 1 were more then 150 people arrested.
Among them were several members of the Campaign, including Nikzad Zanganeh, Amir Yaghoubali, Taha Valizadeh, Pouria Poshtareh, Kaveh Mozaffari and Jelveh Javaheri.
Security forces went to the homes of Amir Yaghoubali and Kaveh Mozafari after their arrest to search the premises.
While searching the home of Kaveh Mozzafari, officials also arrested Jelve Javaheri his wife, who was not at the protest, but simply at her own home.
source: We Change


In Iran there are childoffenders, still on death row.

Children are being hanged to death.
A child will be hanged to death.
Poster amnesty.nl