IRAN: SIX AHWAZIS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR ALLEGEDLY POSING A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY

July 8, 2012: Six Arab political activists in southern Iran’s Ahwaz region were sentenced to death by an Iranian judge.
Families of the detainees confirmed the news that Mohammed Omouri, Hadi Rashidi, Hashem Shaabani, brothers Jaber al-Bushokeh and Mukhtar al-Bushokeh have all been sentenced to death by hanging for the crime of “moharabeh” (being the enemies of God and posing a threat to national security).
In addition, Ahwazi activists were also sentenced for the same crimes: Abdul Rahman Asakereh has been sentenced to 20 years in jail, while Ismail Abayat was sentenced to five years.
In the past 18 months, Iranian authorities have executed four Ahwazi activists of the same crime, three of whom are brothers.
Amnesty International had warned about the men’s execution and said their trial was unjust. The organization also told the detainees’ families that the men had been tortured during their detention and that their confessions had been extracted under duress.
Iranian state TV had aired these men’s confessions and accused them of being in touch with foreign militant groups.
Iranian TV often airs prisoners confessions which, after they are released from prison, the men say they were forced into making. (Sources: Al Arabiya, 08/07/2012)