Fear of imminent execution / Flogging

Urgent Action Network, Amnesty International, USA, PO Box 1270, Nederland, CO 80466-1270. Email: sharriso@aiusa.org, Web: //www.amnesty-usa.org/urgact/ Phone: 303 440 0913, Fax:303 258 7881.

3 February 1998

IRAN: Hossein Dowlatkhah, businessman, aged 58

Hossein Dowlatkhah was reportedly sentenced to death on 18 June 1997 by a revolutionary court in Tehran on charges of corruption and embezzlement. He was also accused of organizing parties with drugs, for which he was sentenced to flogging. According to information received by Amnesty International, Hossein Dowlatkhah's appeal against his conviction and sentence was recently rejected by the Supreme Court, which reportedly upheld the death sentence against him. Hossein Dowlatkhah is believed to have been officially informed that he is to be executed by firing squad. His sole chance of escaping execution now rests with the possibility of a pardon by the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the recommendation of the Head of the Judiciary.

From the original Urgent Action appeal: Hossein Dowlatkhah was charged with swindling investors, corruption and embezzlement. The court also accused him of organising 'lavish parties' with drugs, for which he was sentenced to flogging. Iran's official news agency, IRNA reported on Thursday 19 June that Hossein Dowlatkhah had launched an appeal that would be referred to the Supreme Court. Amnesty International has since received other reports which suggest that his appeal to the Supreme Court has been rejected. Hossein Dowlatkhah was reportedly arrested around April 1990 when he attempted to flee the country along with his family. He is currently being held in Evin Prison in Tehran. Further information on EXTRA 96/97 issued 8 July 1997

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/ airmail letters: - expressing concern at the confirmation of the death sentence and flogging against Hossein Dowlatkhah; - urging for commutation of these sentences.

APPEALS TO:

1) Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei c/o The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

Telegrams: Ayatollah Khamenei, Tehran, Iran Faxes: 011 98 21 650203 (via Interior Ministry, ask for fax to be forwarded)

2) President Hojjatoleslam val Moslemin Sayed Mohammad Khatami, The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

Telegrams: President Khatami, Tehran, Iran; Fax: 011 98 21 674790 (via Foreign Affairs, ask for fax to be forwarded)

3) Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, Ministry of Justice Park-e Shahr Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

Telegrams: Head of the Judiciary, Tehran, Iran

4) Minister of Information Qorbanali Dorri Najafabadi, Ministry of Information Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Your Excellency:

Telegrams: Information Minister, Tehran, Iran

COPIES TO: Minister of the Interior Abdollah Nouri, Ministry of the Interior Dr Fatemi Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran; Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Kamal Kharrazi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Fax: 011 98 21 674790

Chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's Human Rights Committee, Imam Khomeini Avenue, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Mr Mohammad Hassan Zia'i-Far, Secretary, Islamic Human Rights Commission PO Box 13165-137 Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

Fax: 011 98 21 204 0541

Fax: 011 98 21 899547/650203 (note:it can be difficult to obtain fax tone)

Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after March 3, 1998.

Related links

* Iran News
* Complete list of Iranian online media
* Cover stories
* Who's who

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