Iranian opposition leader, MirHosein Mousavi
condemned the sudden execution of five Kurdish prisoners in Tehran and likened
it to the "unjust judicial procedures that have led to the awe-striking
sentences issued for scores of Iranian citizens in recent months."
"When the judiciary rather than supporting victims stumbles toward protecting
those in power, it is difficult to stop people from recognizing the cruelty and
injustice of these sentences," MirHosein Mousavi said in a statement published
on Kaleme website.
He
criticized the judiciary sending five individuals to the gallows despite the
presence of significant "margins of doubt" in their charges, yet failing to
prosecute "the perpetrators of crimes committed in Kahrizak Detention Centre, at
Tehran University dorm, at the demonstrations of June 15th and 20th and Ashura
Day, and also quickly closing the widespread cases of corruption."
Yesterday the Islamic Republic judiciary executed five Kurdish political
prisoners under great secrecy. The sudden and unannounced execution of Farzad
Kamangar, Shirin Alam Holi, Ali Heydarian, Farhad Vakili and Mehdi Eslamian
shocked their families and attorneys who were not given proper notification.
Human rights groups as well as Iranians abroad condemned the executions and in
Paris angry demonstrators even attacked the Islamic Republic embassy which led
to altercations with French police.
The Campaign for Human Rights in Iran contends that the government is using
these politically charged executions to create an atmosphere of fear amongst
people and quell the possibility of further protests.
In the past eleven months, Iranians have been engaged in various forms of
protest against the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad which the opposition
claims was fraudulent.
The
full text of Mousavi's statement regarding recent executions:
The sudden execution of five of the
citizens of this country without giving any clear explanations regarding
their charges, prosecution procedure and trials to the people, is just
similar to the unjust trend that in the recent months have led to the
surprising sentences for many caring women, men and citizens of our country.
When the Judiciary shifts its position from supporting the oppressed toward
supporting authorities and those in power, it is hard to stop people from
judging that the judiciary sentences are unjust. How is it that today the
courts pass on those who ordered and committed the crimes of Kahrizak
prison, University dormitories, Sobhan complex, the days of 15th and 20th of
June and Bloody Ashura, and closes the thick corruption cases before opening
them and then suddenly on the eve of the month of Khordaad (June), the month
of consciousness and seeking justice, hangs these five individuals with so
many unanswered questions?! Is this the Alavi justice that you were after?!
He
criticized the judiciary sending five individuals to the gallows despite the
presence of significant "margins of doubt" in their charges, yet failing to
prosecute "the perpetrators of crimes committed in Kahrizak Detention Centre, at
Tehran University dorm, at the demonstrations of June 15th and 20th and Ashura
Day, and also quickly closing the widespread cases of corruption."
The
full text of Mousavi's statement regarding recent executions: