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Chronology of Events in Iran, December 2004*

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Chronology of Events in Iran, December 2004* December 1 Iran releases two internet journalists. (ISNA) Two of those arrested for internet-related charges have been released. It was reported that Omid Me'marian and Shahram Rafi'zadeh were released on a 50m-tuman bail [approximately 58,000 dollars]. Agence France Presse (AFP) report of the same news on December 4: Four jailed Iranian reformist journalists, three of them recently released, have written letters of repentance, saying they were "brainwashed" by foreigners and "counter- revolutionaries". The Iranian press has carried the letters, allegedly written by imprisoned Javad Qolan Tamimi, Omid Memarian, Shahram Rafizadeh and Roozbeh Mir-Ebrahimi, freed in recent days, to the head of Iran's judiciary. "I was brainwashed by hardline elements to destroy the image of the regime by relating with counter- revolutionaries and talking to foreign radio," said the letter by Memarian, who maintained a controversial weblog. "I spread lies. As I was influenced and encouraged by the ones who have for years been wounding the Islamic regime," read a letter written by Rafizadeh. Tamimi, who worked for the Mardomsalari daily, wrote of his "abhorrence" of the head of the Iranian journalists association who tried to organise a demonstration on behalf of his jailed colleagues. He called for criminal proceedings to be initiated against "those who poison the atmosphere by ... supporting criminals like me". "If I committed this crime in another country, I would have been sentenced to death or life in solitary confinement, but under the indulgent Islamic system, people in charge of my case and prison officials are convinced that I converted honestly," he said. "I was not kept in solitary confinement and treated very nicely by prison officials who provided us with all facilities and even let us have a television," read Rafizadeh's. The journalists expressed deep regret for their past deeds and hoped they could reconcile themselves with the Islamic regime. "I have understood my mistakes and I regret what I have done." Mir-Ebrahimi's letter said. The state IRNA news agency said it had received a fax from the director of Tehran's Evin prison in which Tamimi confessed to supplying the military attache of a foreign embassy with documents in exchange for cash. Hezbollah threat cancels "Religion, Democracy" seminar in Iran. (Iranian newspaper Jomhuri-ye Eslami) It was reported that the people who were planning to host a number of Americans in a seminar under the title of "Religion and Democracy in Iran" in the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, have been forced to cancel the event. It was said that Abdol Karim Sorush and a group of Americans, who have been described as researchers, had * Disclaimer: Reports contained in this document are selected from publicly available resources and edited by country experts. The information provided here is not, and does not purport to be, either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country of origin surveyed, or conclusive as to the merits of any particular claim. Further information may be obtained from BO Ankara. Chronology of Events in Iran UNCHR Ankara COI Team December 2004 Page 1 26/08/2005 received invitations to attend the event. It was reported that the threats by a group they describe as the Hezbollah has been the reason behind the decision to cancel this seminar. Alleged “armed robber” publicly hanged in Saravan. (Islamic Republic News Agency / IRNA) An “armed robber”, convicted of murder and holding illegal fire arms, has been publicly hanged at Saravan, Sistan- Baluchestan. Ababakr Razi was executed at Zaboli region of Saravan after being found guilty of murdering a man as well as keeping firearms and creating insecurity in the region. A local revolutionary tribunal found him as 'mohareb' or someone who wages a war against God and 'mofsed fel arz' or the source of corruption on the Earth, both punishable by death according to the Shari'ah law. The execution was carried after the death sentence was upheld by the state supreme court. December 2 Reformist Democratic Party reelects secretary-general. (Iranian Mehr news agency) Mostafa Kavakebian was elected as Democratic Party secretary-general for a second time at a third congress held in Tehran University. Kavakebian said Democratic Party is not affiliated to the government and that patriotism, expertise and democracy form the backbone of his party. December 3 Arrest warrant issued for former Tehran mayor. (Iranian Students News Agency / ISNA) An arrest warrant has been issued for Mohammad Hasan Malekmadani, the former Tehran mayor and the former managing editor of the daily Hamshahri. The warrant was issued following repeated complaints lodged by individuals and after Malekmadani failed to appear in court when summoned. Malekmadani's case is being investigated at Bench 1083 of Tehran's general court judged by Judge Eslami. Malekmadani's charges are press-related. Based on a decision by the Majlis Press Faction to suspend the jury law passed by the sixth Majlis for a year, press courts will probe into press cases as before. Members of Ansar al-Islam, Al-Qa'idah arrested in Iran's Kordestan. (Iranian Fars News Agency) Head of Justice Department in Kordestan Province Mohammad Mehdi Khamesi reported that most crimes committed in the province include the smuggling of drugs and alcoholic drinks and the illegal entry of members of political groups. He said: “The Justice Department, with respect to [opposition] political groups, is only allowed to deal with [judicial] cases. He said unlike other areas, the [Islamic Revolution] Guards Corps is responsible for the protection of borders and stopping such crimes.” He said: “Based on a decision by the Supreme National Security Council, the cases of non-Iranian Al-Qa'idah members is investigated centrally by special judges in Tehran. If such people are arrested in the province, their cases will be sent to Tehran to be investigated.” The head of the Justice Department of Kordestan Province said the Chronology of Events in Iran UNCHR Ankara COI Team December 2004 Page 2 26/08/2005 number of [Al-Qa'idah members] is less than five, and added: The files on these people have already been sent to Tehran. December 4 Armed groups active in West Azarbaijan. (Iranian Labour News Agency / ILNA) The head of Justice Administration of West Azarbaijan Province, Hojjat ol-Eslam Akbar Feyz, said that, “The activities of the obstinate, militant and anti-revolutionary groups on the border of West Azarbaijan are among the special problems of this province. For this reason, the security forces devote a great bulk of their activities to neutralizing the operations of these groups.” He claimed the West Azarbaijan security forces are currently involved in countering the activities of armed groups such as Pejak, PPK, and Aggressor, which are active on the western border. December 5 Iran journalists stop rally after Judiciary threatens them. (Iranian newspaper Shargh) The Association for the Defence of Press Freedom and the Journalists' Professional Guild, in separate statements, announced that their gathering at the Palace of Justice was suspended. The statement which was faxed by the Association for the Defence of Press Freedom says: “The call for the gathering has been suspended temporarily because the release of journalists has began.” In a similar statement, the Journalists Professional Guild said the gathering will be suspended. Meanwhile, Sa'id Mortazavi, the Tehran prosecutor, has sent a letter to Rajab Ali Mazru'i, the head of the Journalists Professional Guide, saying: “In connection with the statement of your association, confirmed in your letter number 83/3846 dated 10/09/1383 [30 November 2004], you are hereby informed that supporting individuals who have been convicted of espionage and acts of treachery against the country and who have confessed to acts against the law, and where evidence has been discovered and registered - and calling for a gathering, particularly at the Palace of Justice, in support of such criminals falls under article 618 of the Islamic penal code. Therefore should this gathering take place - which will only disturb social peace and order - your excellency and other elements responsible for the illegal invitation will be dealt with seriously and legally for disturbing public security. It is appropriate that you maintain public peace and order, and refrain from issuing such illegal and illegitimate invitations which will only cause public disturbance and disquiet.” Hashem Aghajari not allowed to speak at Student Day programme. (Iranian Fars News Agency) Iranian “Supreme Leader”s representative to Sharif University, Javad Payandeh, said: “The official in charge of universities is against the presence of Hashem Aghajari [leading academic who was sentenced to death for his alleged blasphemy] at the university for 16 Azar [6 December, Student Day] anniversary.” December 6 Student Day at Tehran University. (Reuters) Students harangued President Mohammad Khatami, accusing him of lacking the courage to deliver promised democratic reforms in the Islamic state. Chronology of Events in Iran UNCHR Ankara COI Team December 2004 Page 3 26/08/2005 Student groups shouted slogans against Khatami as he attempted to address some 1,500 students at Tehran University. December 7 Seven “drug smugglers” hanged in Zahedan. (Reuters) Iran's judiciary hanged seven drug smugglers in Zahedan. Some of the men had reportedly killed a policeman in a gun battle. December 8 Head of Khuzestan Culture Department arrested, released on bail. (Fars News Agency) Managing director of the Culture and Islamic Guidance Department in the southern province of Khuzestan Ali Reza Azhang and two of his colleagues, Ali Yari and Mehdi Shafi'i have been released on bail. The three men were arrested the previous night following a complaint filed by one of the local Basij Resistance Force commanders and a series of complaints by the people of the province for "spreading indecency" during a recent festival of Iranian theatre in the province.
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