The Interrogation Of Mohammed Mostafaei
Mohammed Mostafaei, the attorney representing Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani – an Iranian mother-of-two who was sentenced to death by stoning for adultery – has gone missing. Recently, Mohammed Mostafaei was summoned by the Iranian authorities and he spent four hours being questioned at the notorious Evin prison’s Court Branch. Explaining the reasons for the summons on his website, Mohammad Mostafaei said that he was questioned about the nature of his assistance to child offenders on death row, and also about a bank account which was used to hold blood money for the family of victims. Mohammed Mostafaei had, over the last several years, been able to save the lives of eighteen juveniles (those under the age of eighteen) from the noose.
Arrest Of Wife Fereshteh Halimi And Brother-in-law Farhad Halimi
Later that afternoon, security agents went to Mohammed Mostafaei’s house with an arrest warrant. As Mohammed Mostafaei was not there, the agents arrested his wife, Fereshteh Halimi, and brother-in-law, Farhad Halimi, on the charge that the two were trying to conceal Mohammed Mostafaei and help him to avoid arrest. No one has heard or seen Mohammed Mostafaei ever since.
Reactions From Amnesty International And Human Rights Groups
Tim Hancock, campaigns director of Amnesty International told the media, “It’s deeply worrying that the Iranian authorities now appear to be targeting Sakineh’s lawyer. Mohammed Mostafaei is a lawyer doing his job, trying to defend his client. He should be left alone to practise the law, not subjected to harassment and intimidation. It’s shocking that the authorities have detained his wife and her brother in an apparent effort to put pressure on Mostafaei.”
Several human rights groups were also concerned with the latest actions of the Iranian government. The International Committee Against Execution has called on all human rights organizations to “demand the immediate release of Mohammed Mostafaei’s wife and brother-in-law.”
Effect On Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s Sentence
Mohammed Mostafaei, who is in his late thirties and has a seven-year-old daughter, is a well-known attorney for his bravery in taking up causes especially in human rights. Mohammed Mostafaei’s latest cause was of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who had been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. The international outrage seemed to have caused the Iranian authorities to suspend Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s stoning temporarily. The Supreme Court in Iran should have issued a statement on Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s case on July 21st, 2010. However, the release of the statement has been postponed for 20 days according to sources from Iran.
Think About It
The Iranian authorities’ pursuit of Mohammed Mostafaei may not bode well for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Was the arrest of Mohammed Mostafaei’s wife, Fereshteh Halimi, and brother-in-law, Farhad Halimi, a quid pro quo? Would Mohammed Mostafaei’s disappearance inadvertently lead to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s execution? Or would Mohammed Mostafaei turn himself in to save his family?
Previous posts
Iran – New Information On Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s Stoning Case
Iran – Adulteress Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani Escapes Stoning Death
Iranian Woman Facing Death By Stoning
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