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IRAN: KURDISH POLITICAL PRISONER HANGED
November 11, 2009: Kurdish political prisoner Ehsan Fattahian was hanged in the prison of Sanandaj, the provincial capital of Kordestan (Iranian Kurdistan). According to a statement by Amnesty International, Ehsan Fattahian’s lawyer has been summoned to attend his execution.
Ehsan had initiated the strike of hunger and thirst since Sunday November 8, in protest at his sentence.
Ehsan Fattahian was convicted of being a “moharebeh” (at war with God) and his relationship with a illegal opposition group of Kurdish armed , believed to be the Kurdistan Independent Life Party (PJAK).
Fattahian was detained some time between April and August 2008.
Reports suggest that he may have been tortured in detention. Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment to be served in exile, after a trial in which he was denied access to a lawyer. Both Ehsan Fattahian and the prosecutor appealed against this verdict, and in January 2009 Branch 4 of the Kordestan Appeal Court overturned the initial verdict. The new sentence was confirmed, also, by the Supreme Court.
The numerous campaigns by the local and international human rights groups, wich asked to UN, EU and the international community to put pressure on the Iranian authorities, in order to halt Ehsan’s execution, did not give any result.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of Iran Human Rights said "Our thoughts go to Ehsan’s family and friends and all those who are struggling for abolition of death penalty worldwide. We condemn strongly Ehsan’s execution. Iranian leaders must know that hanging and torture will not solve their regime’s massive problems, and they will eventually be held responsible for their acts". (Sources: Iran Human Rights, 11/11/2009)
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