Convicted Shi'a cleric must be released
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International:
22 April 1999
Amnesty International is
today expressing concern for the sentencing of a Shi'a cleric and religious
scholar to 18 months' imprisonment, reportedly on charges related to his
conscientiously held beliefs and academic research.
Hojjatoleslam val Moslemin Mohsen Kadivar was sentenced by the Special
Court for the Clergy (Dadgah-e Vizhe-ye Ruhaniyat) on 21 April 1999. Amnesty
International has in the past expressed its concern that trials before
this court frequently fall far short of minimum international fair trial
standards.
Amnesty International believes that Mohsen Kadivar is a prisoner of
conscience, and calls upon the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to release him immediately and unconditionally.
Mohsen Kadivar's trial before the Special Court for the Clergy began
on 14 April 1999. He had been arrested on 27 February 1999, after having
been called for questioning one week previously.
The charges brought against him reportedly include "propaganda
against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic", "publishing
lies" and "confusing public opinion". These charges are
believed to relate to an article published in the newspaper Khordad on
14 February 1999 in which he appeared to question the role of the clergy
in the government of Iran and expressed concerns over controls on freedom
of expression. While in prison awaiting the start of his trial, Mohsen
Kadivar is reported to have told his family, "My arrest is the price
we pay for freedom".
Reports suggest that Mohsen Kadivar intends to appeal against his conviction;
however it is as yet unclear whether this appeal will be accepted by the
court.
For further information on Amnesty International's concerns about the
fairness of trials before the Special Court for the Clergy see Iran- Human
Rights Violations Against Shi'a Religious Leaders and their Followers,
AI Index MDE 13/18/97, pp 4, 27.
ENDS.../
Amnesty International,
International Secretariat,
1 Easton Street,
WC1X 8DJ, London,
United Kingdom
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