March 8
IRAN:
Iran: 5 Arab men at imminent risk of execution
UA: 77/12 Index: MDE 13/013/2012 Iran Date: 8 March 2012
URGENT ACTION
5 ARAB MEN AT IMMINENT RISK OF EXECUTION
5 members of Iran’s Ahwazi Arab minority, including 3 brothers, their cousin
and another man are at imminent risk of execution in public , after their death
sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court. The sentences may be intended to
deter Ahwazi Arabs in Iran from demonstrating on the 15 April anniversary of
protests held in 2005 .
The 3 brothers, Abd al-R ahman Heidari , Taha Heidari and Jamshi d Heidari,
their cousin Mansour Heidari and Amir Muawi (or Mo ’av i ) were arrested in
April 2011 in Ahvaz, during unrest taking place across Iran’s south-western
Khuzestan province. Since their arrest, their whereabouts have not been
disclosed to their families. On or around 5 March 2012, Ministry of
Intelligence officials informed their families that the Supreme Court had
upheld death sentences against the 5 men, after they were convicted of the
killing of at least one individual, said to be a law enforcement official, on
15 April 2011. The Ministry of Intelligence also told the men's relatives that
they would be executed in public “in the next few days”. It is not known when
their initial trials took place or if they had any legal representation.
”Confessions” extracted under duress are frequently accepted as evidence before
courts in Iran.
Please write immediately in Persian, Arabic, English or your own language:
Urging the Iranian authorities not to carry out the executions and to commute
the death sentences of Abd al-Rahman Heidari, Taha Heidari, Jamshid Heidari,
Mansour Heidari and Amir Mo’avi and anyone else on death row;
Seeking information about the trial of all 5, including whether they had access
to a lawyer of their choice;
Calling on them to ensure that all 5 men are protected from torture or other
ill-treatment, and are granted immediate and regular access to their families,
their lawyers and adequate medical care.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 1 9 APRIL 2012 TO :
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street, Tehran, Islamic
Republic of Iran
Email: info_lea...@leader.ir
Twitter: "#Iran leader @khamenei_ir: halt execution of Abd al-Rahman Heidari,
Taha Heidari, Jamshid Heidari, Mansour Heidari and Amir Mo’avi”
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
[care of] Public relations Office
Number 4, 2 Azizi Street
Vali Asr Ave., above Pasteur Street intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Email: bia.j...@yahoo.com (Subject line: FAO
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani) or info_lea...@leader.ir
Salutation: Your Excellency
And copies to:
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammad Javad Larijani
High Council for Human Rights
[Care of] Office of the Head of the Judiciary, Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave. south
of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: i...@humanrights-iran.ir
(subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address
Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
5 ARABS AT IMMINENT RISK OF EXECUTION IN IRAN
Additional Information
The Ahwazi Arab minority is one of many minorities in Iran. Much of Iran's Arab
community lives in the south-western province of Khuzestan. Most are Shi’a
Muslims but some are reported to have converted to Sunni Islam, heightening
government suspicion about Ahwazi Arabs. They often complain that they are
marginalized and subject to discrimination in access to education, employment,
adequate housing, political participation and cultural rights.
There were mass demonstrations in Khuzestan province in April 2005, after it
was alleged that the government planned to disperse the country's Arab
population or to force them to relinquish their Arab identity. Following bomb
explosions in Ahvaz City in June and October 2005, which killed at least 14
people, and explosions at oil installations in September and October 2005, the
cycle of violence intensified, with hundreds of people reportedly arrested.
Further bombings on 24 January 2006, in which at least 6 people were killed,
were followed by further mass arbitrary arrests. At least 15 men were later
executed as a result of their alleged involvement in the bombings.
Scores, if not hundreds, of members of the Ahwazi Arab minority were reportedly
arrested before, during and after demonstrations on 15 April 2011. The
demonstrations had been called a “Day of Rage” to mark the sixth anniversary of
the 2005 mass demonstrations. At least three (according to the authorities) -
and possibly many more - people were killed in the April 2011 demonstrations
during clashes with the security forces, including some in the Malashiya
neighbourhood in Ahvaz. Amnesty International received the names of 27
individuals allegedly killed. Ahwazi Arab sources have claimed the casualty
figures were even higher. Amnesty International has been unable to confirm the
reports as the Iranian authorities do not allow the organization to visit the
country. The authorities maintain a tight control on the flow of information in
and out of the province, including by preventing foreign journalists from
visiting Khuzestan. At least four Ahwazi Arab men reportedly died in custody
between 23 March 2011 and mid May 2011, possibly as a result of torture or
other ill-treatment. Others were hospitalized around the same time, apparently
as a result of injuries sustained from torture or other ill-treatment.
At least eight Ahwazi Arabs in Iran, including Hashem Hamidi, said to have been
aged only 16, were executed between 5 and 7 May 2011, three reportedly in
public, for their alleged involvement in the killing of three individuals
including a law enforcement official (see Iran: Arbitrary arrests, torture and
executions continue, Index: MDE 13/051/2011, 20 May 2011,
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/051/2011/en).
Between 10 January 2012and the beginning of February 2012, in the lead-up to
parliamentary elections held on 2 March 2012, between 50 to 65 individuals were
reportedly arrested in at least three separate locations in the province; at
least two deaths in custody have also been reported. Some Ahwazi Arabs, mostly
in Shoush, called for a boycott of the elections and arrests in Shoush,
north-central Khuzestan, reportedly followed the appearance of anti-election
slogans painted on walls. Others may have been pre-emptive arrests aimed at
preventing any gathering of Ahwazi Arabs either on the anniversary of
country-wide demonstrations held on 14 February 2011 in support of the people
of Tunisia and Egypt which were violently repressed, or on the 15 April
anniversary of the “Day of Rage”.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee, the authoritative body which
interprets the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which
Iran is a state party, has found that public executions are “incompatible with
human dignity” and in November 2011 called on Iran to prohibit their use.
(source: Amnesty International)
MALAYSIA:
3 Thais, Malaysian to hang for firearms possession
The High Court here today gave the death penalty to 4 persons after they were
found guilty of possessing 6 firearms and 336 bullets.
The 3 Thai nationals, including a woman, and a Malaysian man were found with
the items in a Bandar Sunway hotel room, Bernama Online reported.
They were arrested in Pyramid Tower Hotel in the wee hours (3.45am) of February
4 2007.
They were suspected of robbing a goldsmith outlet in Subang Parade the day
before. 2 security guards and a suspected robber died in the incident.
2 of the Thais were brothers, Songsil Udtoom, 42, and Jukkis Udtoom, 45.
Convicted with them were Malaysian Loo Yeong Guang, 35, and his Thai girlfriend
Phailin Noochangphueak, 31.
All 4 were charged with possession of the firearms without valid reasons under
Section 57 (1) (a) of the ISA 1960.
The pistols were 2 Colts, a Remington Rand Inc, A Sig Sauer and a Glock, and a
AR15 rifle.
Their 2nd charge was the possession of assorted bullets under Section 57 (1)
(b) of the ISA 1960.
Judge Siti Khadijah Hassan Badjenid ruled the defence failed to raise any
reasonable doubt. She dismissed the defence that the Thais were on holiday with
Loo was just a denial.
She said the testimonies and the jewellery found in the hotel room rebutted the
holiday defence.
She added that the identities of the accused was not in doubt since they were
arrested in the room, and the raiding police team had to force open the locked
and chained door.
Siti Khadijah in her judgment pointed out that the firearms were strewn around
the room, and police were forced to overpower Songsil and Loo before they
reached for their weapons.
M. Visvanathan represented all 4 while Mohd Azari Harun and Mohamed Mustaffa P.
Kunyalam prosecuted
(source: The Malaysian Insider)
********************
Calls for government to assist in Malaysian drug case Aja Styles
A prominent Perth lawyer has argued that a former Success man arrested in
Malaysia over potential drug charges needs Australia's help.
Earlier this week Malaysian police confirmed Dominic Jude Christopher Bird, 32,
had been ''tentatively charged'' with trying to sell 225g of methamphetamine
and could face the death penalty.
Malaysian Police Narcotics Superintendent Nafisah Adam said that the former
Perth man was being held in custody, along with 3 locals.
They were all arrested on Thursday over a string of alleged drug offences.
Supt Nafisah said Mr Bird had been caught with a large quantity of
methamphetamine ''in his hands'' at a coffee shop in the Malaysian capital of
Kuala Lumpur, and that a search of his nearby house had uncovered a ''smaller
volume'' of drugs and led to the arrests of 2 Malay men and a Filipina maid.
Today on Radio 6PR, Tom Percy QC said it was important for Mr Bird to receive
advice from Australian authorities so his human rights were not impacted.
Under Malaysian law, a person convicted of possessing more than 50g of
methamphetamine was declared a drug trafficker and faced a mandatory death
sentence.
Mr Percy said that despite some Asian countries having the death penalty, this
being the harshest possible penalty, it has not stopped the drug trade because
addiction and money were also powerful motivators.
"Does the death penalty stop anything and the answer is no," he told 6PR.
He said that even WA courts handing down harsher penalties had not stopped drug
use in the state getting "out of control".
He argued that it was more important to get to the heart of drug use because
"dry up demand and supply will dry up itself".
Mr Bird's father, Clayton Bird, reportedly said that he was unaware of his
son's arrest and had not been able to contact him recently.
Mr Bird had lived with his father in the southern Perth suburb of Success until
6 months ago, when he had moved into an apartment in the central suburb of
Mount Lawley.
Malaysian police federal narcotics director Noor Rashid Ibrahim was reported as
saying Mr Bird intended to smuggle drugs back to Australia.
''He is part of a group,'' the newspaper quoted Mr Noor Rashid as saying.
Supt Nafisah said the arrests were part of an ongoing anti-drugs operation, and
that the men had been under surveillance for some time before their arrests.
''It's part of a team of investigation that was carried out,'' she said.
While Mr Bird and the other men had been ''tentatively charged'', official
charges could follow chemical analysis of the seized substances.
''He is being held and tentatively we will charge him, but it depends on the
contents of the substance on him,'' Supt Nafisah said.
''But I can say (if the drugs are confirmed), definitely he will be charged.''
Supt Nafisah said under Malaysian law, the men could be held in custody for up
to 14 days without charge while police continued to investigate them.
They are expected to initially appear in a magistrates court in Kuala Lumpur,
but could be transferred to a higher court if serious charges were laid.
''If it's confirmed drugs, his case will be transferred to a higher court,''
Supt Nafisah said.
''Yes, they could face the death penalty if convicted.''
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on Monday Bird
was arrested on March 1.
''Malaysian authorities arrested a 32-year-old Australian man from Western
Australia for allegedly selling methamphetamines,'' a DFAT spokesperson said in
Canberra.
''Consular officials in Kuala Lumpur are seeking access in order to offer
consular assistance to the man.
''It is possible that he will be charged with Trafficking in Dangerous Drugs,
Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries a mandatory death
penalty upon conviction.''
Supt Nafisah said she was not aware if Mr Bird's father planned to travel to
Malaysia to see his son.
Malaysia has executed 3 Australians for drug offences.
Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers were hanged in July 1986 followed by Michael
McAuliffe in June 1993.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Acting Foreign Minister Craig Emerson have
previously declined to speculate on the fate of Mr Bird.
''We will provide, as we always do, every consular assistance to every
Australian citizen but beyond that, it would be wrong for me to speculate about
the nature and causes of the apprehension of this man,'' Dr Emerson said.
"Let the justice system take its course.''
(source: Sydney Morning Herald)
******************
Drug mules back to swallowing ways
Desperate for money, African drug mules are smuggling narcotics by swallowing
capsules filled with dangerous drugs. Customs Department assistant
director-general Zainul Abidin Taib said that the smugglers were only being
paid US$2,000 (RM6,000) for the risky venture.
"Drug syndicates are targetting Africans who are desperate for money and that
is why the drug mules are willing to risk their lives, even knowing that
swallowing the drug capsules could kill them.
"Most drug mules would not take up the offer as they could overdose when the
capsules burst inside their bodies."
He said that the change in tactics was due to thorough checks at entry points
into the country, including the KL International Airport (KLIA).
Zainul said that this came about after smuggling the drugs in hidden luggage
compartments, inside decorative ceramic items and medicine boxes, were
routinely exposed by the airport's Customs officers.
The latest "swallow and smuggle" cases involving Africans were reported on Feb
28 and March 2, when four men were detained by KLIA Customs officers.
"All the arrests were made after our roving unit detained the suspects who were
acting suspiciously," said Zainul.
On Feb 28, between 7pm and 9pm, 2 Nigerians and a Guinean suspected of having
swallowed syabu-filled capsules were detained.
"All three, in their 30's, were not from the same syndicate. Checks with the
hospital revealed that each suspect had swallowed between 70 and 80 capsules,"
said Zainul.
Customs seized a total of 4.17kg of syabu worth RM1,061,000 from the 3 suspects
who underwent body scans.
On March 2, a 34-year-old Nigerian was nabbed at 1am.
"The suspect had arrived from Dubai and had swallowed syabu capsules," said
Zainul.
He said that the suspect had been admitted to Kuala Lumpur Hospital and was
believed to have swallowed more than 80 capsules.
"Doctors told us there were still capsules inside the body."
All the suspects are being remanded, their cases investigated under Section 39B
of Dangerous Drug Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death penalty.
(source: Yahoo News)
_______________________________________________
DeathPenalty mailing list
DeathPenalty@lists.washlaw.edu
http://lists.washlaw.edu/mailman/listinfo/deathpenalty
Search the Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/deathpenalty@lists.washlaw.edu/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A free service of WashLaw
http://washlaw.edu
(785)670.1088
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
