Iran: Further information on arbitrary arrest/ fear of torture or other ill-treatment/ prisoner of conscience: Mahboubeh Karami
PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 13/119/2008
Further Information on UA 169/08 (MDE 13/084/2008, 17 June 2008) and follow-ups (MDE 13/089/2008, 27 June 2008; MDE 13/097/2008, 25 July 2008) - Arbitrary arrest/fear of torture or other ill-treatment and new concern: Prisoner of Conscience
IRAN Mahboubeh Karami (f), aged 40, journalist and women’s rights defender
About 200 others
Mahboubeh Karami was charged within the past week with "acting against national security," and the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad has scheduled her next hearing for 1 November, according to her lawyer. She has been held in Evin Prison in Tehran since 13 June. Amnesty International believes the charge is false, and that Mahboubeh Karami is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association.
About 200 women who were arrested with her have all been released.
Mahboubeh Karami’s lawyer was only recently allowed to see the court documents concerning her case and will shortly be meeting with her for the first time.
The court set bail of one billion rials (approximately US$110,000) on 12 July, but her family have been unable to raise such a large amount.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO ARRIVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, IN PERSIAN, ARABIC, ENGLISH OR YOUR OWN LANGUAGE:
- calling on the authorities to release Mahboubeh Karami immediately and unconditionally, as she is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association;
- urging them to ensure that she is not tortured or otherwise ill-treated;
- calling on them to give Mahboubeh Karami immediate and regular access to her family, her lawyer and any medical treatment that she may require;
APPEALS TO:
Head of the Tehran Judiciary
Ali Reza Avaie
No. 152, corner of 17th Alley
Before Shahid Motahhary Ave.,
Sanaei Ave., Karimkhan Zand Ave.,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 8832 6700 (works intermittently)
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [email protected]
via website: www.president.ir/email
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [email protected] (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi)
Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri, Tehran 1316814737, Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying)
Email: [email protected] (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
[email protected] (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
and to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 September 2008.