BackgroundIran executes its citizens more than any other country in the world per capita. You may have heard about the four people in Iran who were sentenced to death on charges of corruption on earth in the case now known as "Ekhtelas-e- 3,000 milliardi" or the alleged USD 2.6 billion embezzling in the banking system in Iran. The four are Mahafarid Amir-Khosravi [the prime suspect], Behdad Behzadi, his legal adviser, Iraj Shoja, his financial solicitor and Saeed Kiani Rezazadeh, head of the Ahvaz branch of Saderat Bank. The supreme court has approved the sentence and they may be executed any second. (refs 1,2) Apart from the important fact that death penalty is an inappropriate, violent and inhuman way of treating anyone, whether guilty or not, and the obscureness of charges based on "corruption on earth", there are several more reasons to urgently oppose against the sentence. Many strongly believe that the judgement is largely politically motivated and is aimed at silencing the public who are critical of the current economical crisis in Iran. Read on to see why. Who is Amir-Khosravi Mahafarid started his economic activities about 20 years ago. His father was one of the major landowners in north of Iran. Mahafarid used this paternal inheritance as a first capital of his activities and became one of the most successful businessmen in Iran. The company Mahafarid chaired has more than 35 offshoots which are active in diverse business activities, and has no outstanding debt to any domestic or international financial institution. According to their lawyer, Gholamali Riyahi They have over 17,000 employees that feed thousands of more people in their households, why could one call these entrepreneurs corrupt on earth? (refs. 3,4) Expert OpinionDuring the past days many specialists in the field if economy, banking, law, etc. have commented on the court's judgement in this case. Prof. Sadeq Zibakalam of Tehran University has commented that the company chairpersons should be commended for their efforts in mobilizing the economy, as they are economically smart people probably on the level of famous world entrepreneurs. In the article entitled, “Death Sentence of a Genius,” the outspoken professor criticized Khosravi’s death sentences, saying it was handed down to “satisfy public opinion,” and that the verdict had “nothing to do with the truth or justice.” Zibakalam went on to praise Khosravi’s business achievements over the past two decades. Zibakalam quotes three other finance experts who have read the case and "found no major unlawful activity or serious violation in the history of this company". (ref. 5) Human rights lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaee has also commented on this case in an extended article. He has referred to the successful economical achievements of the Aria Investment Development Company in several provinces of Iran and questioned the basis of the accusations. (ref 6) Corruption on EarthIn addition, all the Grand Ayattollahs (marja-e-taqlid who determine and define what corruption-on-earth is and to which the court had referred for consultation in the ruling) have denied any role or approval of the final sentence. (ref 7) Two of them, Ayatollah Makarem Shiarazi, and Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani, who were specifically mentioned in the indictment and court's decision have both clearly rejected their role in the case. (ref 8) What we can do Please do whatever you can in working to publicize this case internationally. Mahafarid and his colleagues should not be executed. And even if they really committed some sort of fraud, death penalty should not be enforced, as it is the greater chance of sentencing an innocent person to death. We are also asking for an aggressive international effort to save their lives. We should contact members of relevant organizations, international leaders, and the news media - working to put pressure on the Iranian government to stop this planned execution that could occur at any time. References 1- ENGLISH Press TV report on the verdict: http://www.presstv.com/detail/2013/02/18/289652/iran-sentences-4-to-death-in-scam-case/ 2- ENGLISH VOA news blog commentary http://blogs.voanews.com/inside-iran/2013/02/20/ 3- PERSIAN Case lawyer in interview with Fars News: http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13911130001256 4- PERSIAN Riyahi commented on the ruling: http://tasnimnews.com/Detail?id=25049 5- PERSIAN Zibakalam's original article: http://www.ghanoononline.ir/News/Item/61562/19/%D9%85%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%BA%D9%87.html 6- PERSIAN Mostafaee's articl: http://www.utolawyers.org/news/review-judgments/94-2013-02-23-11-34-14 7- PERSIAN Maraje denial: http://www.mehrnews.com/detail/News/2001470 8- PERSIAN Copy of the handwritten letter by two ayatollah: http://oi48.tinypic.com/11j408o.jpgخلاصه فارسیمه آفرید امیرخسروی و همکارانش را اعدام نکنیدسرانه اعدام شهروندان ایران بیش از هرکشور دیگری است. ممکن است شما در مورد چهار نفر در ایران که به اتهام فساد فی الارض در پرونده اختلاس سه هزار میلیاردی ادعایی به اعدام محکوم شده اند شنیده باشید.مه آفرید امیرخسروی، بهزاد بهزادی، ایرج شجاع و سعید کیانی رضازاده. دیوان عالی کشور این حکم را تایید کرده است و آنها ممکن است هر لحظه اعدام شوند. در حالیکه به تایید غلامعلی ریاحی وکیل پرونده گروه آریا با بیش از 35 شرکت فعال 17 هزار کارمند و دهها هزار تن دیگر در خانواده های آنها را تحت پوشش داشته است و کارشناسان متعددی از جمله صادق زیبا کلام استاد سرشناس دانشگاه تهران و محمد مصطفایی وکیل این افراد را مبری از اتهامات دانسته اند، اعدام آن هم به اتهام فساد در زمین راه درستی است؟ جالب است آیات عظام مورد استناد قوه قضاییه در صدور این احکام هم نقش خود و استفتای خاص را رد کرده اند. بیایید خواستار توقف اجرای این حکم غیر انسانی شویم. اعدام راه هرگونه تجدید نظر و اصلاح را می بندد و احتمال قربانی شدن انسانی بی گناه هم در این نوع مجازات وجود دارد. هرچه در توان داریم برای برچیدن اعدام و به خصوص توقف اعدام این متهمین به کار بندیم. 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