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IRAN: HANDS OFF CAIN, ITALY MUST NOT EXTRADITE THE BLOGGER KHOSRAVI
August 10, 2016: Hands Off Cain asks the Italian authorities not to grant extradition in the Islamic Republic of the blogger Mehdi Khosravi, also known as Yashar Parsa, born in Iran, but resident in the United Kingdom as a political refugee, arrested August 7 in Dorio, province of Lecco, while on vacation in Italy.
The Islamic Republic is insisting at this time with the Italian authorities to obtain his extradition which, if granted - according to Hands Off Cain - would put in jeopardy the life of the Iranian activist for democracy and human rights. On the head of Khosravi, who in the last three years was also the Executive Director of “The Iran National Council for Free Elections", hunged an international arrest warrant issued by the Islamic Republic after his escape following the demonstrations of the Green Movement, born after the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009.
Hands Off Cain underwrites the appeal launched by Reza Ciro Pahlavi, son of the Shah forced into exile after the advent of the Khomeini regime, through a letter addressed to the Head of Government Matteo Renzi, asking not to give in to Iranian pressure.
"Italy, which is known worldwide for its commitment to the abolition of the death penalty, can not cooperate with a regime like that of Iran, that in the last week has executed dozens of political opponents," said Sergio D'Elia, Secretary of Hands Off Cain.
"Mr. Khosravi risks his life if extradited to Iran, and Italy has an obligation dictated by its Constitution as well as by international conventions and protocols, not to cooperate judicially or politically in cases like this."
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