Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.
Farzaneh and Dr Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou are among those facing death penalty for involvement in the ongoing protests in Iran. The married couple were arrested a month ago after attending the 40-day ceremony of the death of young protester Hadis Najafi in Karaj, who was killed by security guards days after Amini’s death. The couple have, like sixteen other defendants, been charged and convicted for their alleged role in the killing of Ruhollah Ajamian, a Basiji guard who himself had killed two protesters that same day.
Dr Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou was beaten brutally during his arrest and has suffered injuries including broken ribs and internal bleeding for which he has been hospitalized during this time. His wife Farzaneh was also tortured and according to Dr Hamid’s brother she was severely beaten and received repeated death threats against her children to force a confession.
The married couple, both academics, have done a lot of charitable work for Iranians living in underserved communities, including building three schools in southern Iran. The case has also been negatively influenced by their connection and association with Gonabadi Sufism, which has long been subject to persecution in Iran.
Their sham trial took a few moments according to Kamran Malekpour, an investigative reporter on Iran, who has been following the couple’s case closely, and they were denied their own choice of lawyers. Instead they had no choice but to settle with a public defender appointed by the authorities who according to Dr Hamid’s brother spoke against their case and even accused Dr Hamid of lying during the hearing. The intentionally unfair trial was based on forced confessions obtained under torture and is in direct violation of international law protecting human rights. Dr Hamid has now been sentenced to death and his wife Farzaneh has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.
Following the execution of Mohsen Shekari, 23, who was convicted of killing a member of the Basiji force, also based on an unfair trial, the authorities have now put into action a plan to execute innocent people, including minors, on charges of killing security forces during protests. This is an organized plan by the authorities to intimidate and silence the protesters. These planned executions have provoked both national and international outcry and people will do anything but keep silent.
www.change.org/p/free-dr-hamid-ghareh-hassanlou
