Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Publish date: April 10 • Printable version    

Iranian judiciary "a tool of security agencies"


Heshmatollah Tabarzadi

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran announced that the judiciary is being pressured by the Ministry of Intelligence to “issue a heavy sentence” for post-election detainee, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi.

Mr. Tabarzadi’s defence attorney, Nasrin Sotoudeh has informed the Campaign that security officers are “pressuring the judiciary to sentence Tabarzadi to the maximum penalty,” while the entire case deserves to be dismissed because of procedural violations.

“The case of Heshmatollah Tabarzadi and those of numerous others show that one cannot speak of a fair trial conforming to international standards of due process when the Judiciary is merely a tool of security agencies and executive powers,” said Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign.

“A fair examination of the Tabarzadi file will reveal that the charges are baseless and that he should be released right away,” the Campaign maintains.

Heshmatollah Tabarzadi is currently in the 209 section of Evin Prison in solitary confinement.

The International Campaign for Human Rights announced that Tabarzadi was “apparently” arrested for participation in Ashura day protests in December 2009 and he is being subjected to a “fierce” interrogation.

Tabarzadi maintains that he did not participate in the events of Ashura day and was "merely driving in the city on that day."

Before his recent arrest, Tabarzadi, a journalist and leader of the banned Democratic Front of Iranian People (DFIP), had already spent nine years in prison for his political activities.

His lawyer, Ms. Sotoudeh contends that for about four months, Tabarzadi “is being subjected to interrogations under extreme pressure along with beatings.”

She went on to say that the security forces are demanding that the judge sentences him to “exile and lifetime ban from any social or political activity.”

Ms. Sotoudeh maintained that security officers may have no legal knowledge, “however pressuring a judge is a clear violation of the law and a crime. The principle of the independence of the judiciary makes it the judge's duty to speak out against such pressures.”

She added: “Unfortunately in many cases we observe that the judges not only act on such recommendations but go even further than mere complying with them.”

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran spokesperson, Aaron Rhodes maintains that “the arrest of Tabarzadi is arbitrary, the handling of his file by the judiciary is completely against the law and his trial is shamefully political.”

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