Urgent Action Appeal - IRAN

[CCADP]

URGENT ACTION APPEAL


29 March 2006

UA 70/06 Imminent execution/unfair trial

IRAN: Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi (m), aged 28

Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi is believed to be at imminent risk of
execution in Gohar Dasht Prison, in the city of Karaj, near
Tehran. According to reports, in recent weeks, he has
received a number of threats from prison officials that he
would be executed soon. On 24 March prison authorities
reportedly showed Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi his death warrant,
on which his date of execution was said to be scheduled for
16 May 2006, and forced him to sign it.

Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi is a supporter of the People's
Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), an illegal opposition
group which has in the past carried out armed attacks in
Iran. He is believed to have been detained in 2001 and
sentenced to death after being convicted of moharebeh
(enmity with God, a term often applied to those accused of
armed resistance to the state). He was reportedly tried
before a Revolutionary Court, but did not have access to a
lawyer.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Hojjat Zamani, a PMOI member who had received a similar
pattern of threats, was executed on 7 February 2006 at
Gohar Dasht Prison. His execution was confirmed officially
only on 21 February (UA 318/03, 5 November 2003, and
follow-ups).

Amnesty International recognizes the rights and
responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those
suspected of criminal offences, but strongly opposes the
death penalty as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading
punishment and violation of the right to life.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive
as quickly as possible:
- stating that Amnesty International recognizes the rights and
responsibilities of governments to bring to justice those
suspected of criminal offences, but strongly opposes the
death penalty as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading
punishment and violation of the right to life;
- urging that the death sentence imposed on Valiollah Feyz
Mahdavi be commuted immediately;
- seeking details of his trial, including details of the charges
against him and any appeals he may have made;
- expressing concern at reports that he was not granted
access to a lawyer during his trial and as such his trial did
not meet international standards for fair trial, as laid down by
Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights to which Iran is a State Party.

APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street
Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [e-mail]; [e-mail]
Salutation: Your Excellency

Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [e-mail] (mark ''Please forward to
His Excellency Ayatollah Shahroudi'') This email
address can be unreliable. If it does not work, please
send your appeal via the judiciary website:
www.iranjudiciary.org/feedback_en.html
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(via website) www.president.ir/email

Iran does not presently have an embassy in this country.
Instead, please send copies to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Please send appeals immediately. Check with the
Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain
Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after May 10,
2006.

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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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