News

Fears are growing for the fate of a political activist in Iran who is facing imminent execution after being convicted of acting against national security.

Sherko Moarefi, a 31-year-old ethnic Kurd from Baneh in north-west Iran, was arrested in October 2008 on suspicion of being a member of a Kurdish opposition political party, Komala. The leftwing separatist group has been branded a terrorist organisation by Iran.

Moarefi was sentenced to death after being convicted of "acting against the national security" and moharebeh (waging war against God) – vague charges that Iran has used against many political activists in recent years.

According to Khalil Bahramian, one of his lawyers in Iran, Moarefi's conviction has been upheld by the supreme court and he was scheduled to be hanged on Sunday morning but his execution was delayed for a possible judicial review.