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(30 April 2010) The hasty and secretive confirmation of execution sentences for post-election protestors by Iranian appeals courts is a flagrant violation of international standards of due process and justice, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

Nasim Ghanavi, a lawyer in Tehran, told the Campaign that an appeals court in Tehran upheld a death sentence for her client Jafar Kazemi and another protestor Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaee.

“These sentences were originally issued in kangaroo courts, despite an utter lack of evidence justifying any punishment, let alone capital punishment. Now the appeals judges are disregarding Iran’s own laws and international obligations by rubber stamping these horrifying sentences,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.

Contrary to the fundamental principle of transparency, the prosecutions of post-election protestors have been shrouded in secrecy, particularly for those charged with Moharebeh, or enmity against God, which is punishable by the death penalty. Under Iranian law, Moharebeh can be applied only in cases of armed resistance against the State. Trials at both the lower court and appeals stage have been held in secret. Neither families nor lawyers have had access to defendants prior to and during the prosecution, and in most cases, they have not been officially informed of the sentences by lower courts.

According to Iranian Judiciary officials, at least 11 protestors ha... >>>