A Prisoner killed under torture in Karaj
According to National Council of Resistance of Iran, the Iranian regime in has killed a prisoner in Karaj under torture on Wednesday. The victim, Hassan Qashqai was arrested after he protested State Security Forces (SSF) in Varamin city, and taken to solitary confinement at Karaj’s Gohardasht prison. NCRI added: based on reports reports, he lost consciousness under severe tortures, and lost his life shortly thereafter. The 35 year old belonged to the Qashqa tribe and had spent 5 years in prison.
Three people executed in public in Iran
The Iranian regime executed three people in public on Wednesday in the city of Azna in Lorestan province. According to the state-run Fars news agency on Thursday, the execution was carried out “in the midst of high security and in public at the town’s Namaz Square.” A number of local officials, including the town prosecutor, were present at the scene.
The news agency identified the victims only with their initials, S. R., A. M., and M. Kh., adding that they were charged with kidnapping.
Televised ’confession’ in stoning case condemned
Amnesty International has condemned the TV “confession” of an Iranian woman, in which Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two awaiting execution by stoning for adultery, appears to implicate herself in the murder of her husband. The interview was broadcast last night on the “20:30” program by Seda va Sima, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. Amnesty is pointing out that televised “confessions” have repeatedly been used by the Iranian authorities to incriminate individuals in custody. Many have later retracted these “confessions”, stating that they were coerced to make them, sometimes under torture or other ill-treatment. Amnesty International Middle East Deputy Director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said: “This so-called confession forms part of growing catalogue of other forced confessions and self-incriminating statements made by many detainees in the past year. “Statements made in such televised exchanges should have no bearing on Iran’s legal system, or the call to review her case. This latest video shows nothing more than the lack of evidence against Sakineh Ashtiani.’
Amnesty understands that last week, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s lawyer, Javid Houtan Kiyan, submitted a 35-page request for a judicial review of her case, and that a response is expected on or around 15 August. Unconfirmed reports indicate that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has recently been tortured or ill-treated while in Tabriz Central Prison, underscores Amnesty’s concern. Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui added: “It appears that Iran’s authorities have orchestrated this ’confession’, following the call for a judicial review and now appear to be inventing new charges of murdering her husband. “Having Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani broadcast in this manner calls into question the independence of the judiciary, at least vis-a-vis the state broadcaster, and its ability to adhere to Iran’s own laws. If the judiciary in Iran is to be taken seriously, this ‘confession’ needs to be disregarded and assurances given that it will not affect the review of her case.
Toyota suspends auto exports to Iran over nuclear row
Associated France Press reported on Aug. 11 that Toyota Motor Corp. has suspended auto exports to Iran indefinitely in line with global sanctions against Tehran’s nuclear program, the company said Wednesday.
AFP added: The world’s largest car maker has halted auto shipments to Iran since early June, ’considering the international environment,’ Toyota said in a statement. ’Our company will continue to closely monitor the international situation,’ it said without elaborating. Toyota’s auto shipments to Iran sharply declined to some 250 Land Cruiser four-wheel-drive and other vehicles in 2009 from 4,000 units in 2008. Toyota has exported 220 cars so far this year. The UN Security council adopted fresh sanctions in June against Iran’s nuclear program, while the US and the European Union have strengthened their own sanctions.
