With especial thanks to Naheed Hamdani
Director-general of Etemad Melli Party said: some behaviors that we do not accept should not lead to the detachment of the children of the revolution from the system and those who try to make the political sphere of the country radical should not be permitted to reach their goal.
According to “Jahan” and “Isna”, Mr. Karrobi during his short speech when meeting with Baghi’s family, in addition to his sympathy and commiseration with them honored and esteemed Baghi for his humanitarian activities. He added: even if there were questions about his activities from the side of security and judicial agents, they could find answer to their questions without detaining him.
Karrobi with regard to the current situation of the country and with reference to the issue that this year has been named the year of “national unity and solidity” added: the national unity is only obtainable and accessible when all the children of the Islamic revolution be active in all areas of social activities and gentlemen such as Mr. Baghi are the children of the revolution. I hope Mr. Baghi would be released soon.
He addressed Baghi’s family and added: those who try to make the political sphere of the country radical should not be permitted to reach their goal. We demand the government officials to alter and modify these activities.
Karrobi also declared: I hope we can solve the issues with dialogue. At the same time we demand the judicial official to meet Mr. Baghi’s rights either as an accused or convict.
Since the investigation has ended legally and the respectable investigator has received the last defenses of Mr. Baghi, therefore they should transfer him to the general cell together with other prisoners. And if he has been detained without logical reason and the bail has been set. So he must be freed. He went on to say that I would continue my dialogue and discussions with the authorities and do what I can do to defend Mr. Baghi’s rights.
At the meeting Mrs. Fateme Kamali (Mr. Baghi’s wife) delivered a report about Baghi’s situation and added: We together with his lawyer have demanded repeatedly the judicial authorities to meet and observe the judicial process. She on behalf of her husband said: Baghi’s request is to defend himself in a fair, just and open trial according to the article 168 of the Iranian Constitution. Mrs. Kamali went on to say that Baghi always believed there are rational, compassionate, sympathetic and kindhearted officials among the officials of the judicial system. They support and endorse the positive activities of civil society’s independent and benevolent figures.
She hoped that these rational and compassionate officials could prevent the deviation of the judicial cases such as Baghi’s case while we witness the endorsement of these benevolent officials in the judicial system concerning the “Association of the Defense of the prisoners’ Rights”. Mr. Baghi has preserved his affiliation with the Revolution Ideals (among which the rights of people is most important). He always believed in these ideals while carrying out his civil and human rights activities. He believes in God’s satisfaction but does not expect the ingratitude.
Friday, November 30, 2007
For Father / For whom my eyes await
Maryam Baghi1
In the name of truth2
Whispered to me last night
How blessed the one who is now free
Alas afflicted hen’s heart
Entangled in hunter’s restrain
Do not utter these words, I said
Alas for you and I today
Our objective is to speak the truth
At the end our way will be triumphant!
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank and show gratitude to all those who have organized this meeting, all the journalists who out of respect for pen and thought have called upon others to join, and also all civil society activists that are present in this meeting.
In addition, I would like to thank the governing board of the Association of Iranian Journalists for making this meeting possible. In the past 25 years, since 1981, my father has always as a writer been a member of the Press’ large family and today the one year sentence for which he has apparently been imprisoned is for articles that he has written for the country’s reputable newspaper.
We have repeatedly expressed our objections to my father’s imprisonment through his lawyer as well as the family. My father continues to serve his one year sentence in prison but, for another case regarding the activities of a civil society institution (Society for Defending Prisoners’ Rights), is under interrogation and pressure in a closed cell, prevented from being moved to a general ward or freed on bail set by the magistrate. We object to this situation.
My father, in a short twenty minute meeting, proudly announced that he is ready for a public defense in a just court and demanded the convening of such a court as soon as possible on the basis of Article 168 of the Constitution.
My father sees himself as a prisoner of pen, thought, and his just actions (civil society, press and human rights activities). Yesterday, in the year that was named the year of “security and unity,” he was imprisoned by being accused of writing articles that apparently caused distress in the sleep of some, and was sentenced to prison. Today in the year that has been called a year of “national unity and Islamic solidity” he has again been sent to prison on the basis of the accusations of the same case. Of course, in truth, today the main accusation against him relates to the case of him being the conscious witness of civil society, watching the activities of the government, preparing and writing reports about the situation of those accused, and trying to reduce the sufferings of the accused and convicted. Unfortunately the names chosen for these years have been turned into misnomers due to the irresponsibility of some and it is precisely in these years that the rights of individuals are undermined.
In his short meeting, my father had concerns that went beyond him. He was worried about the arrest of students and was wondering whether in the period of his imprisonment execution orders were issued or implemented. Even in prison he was a vigilant watchdog over the performance of prison wardens and rulers and this concern is not a new concern but a perpetual issue for him. He has always considered the instrument of prison as ineffective. Last night I was glancing at my father’s daily journal and was reviewing his writings after freedom from his last imprisonment. I noticed that, whether inside or outside of the prison, he always worried about the behavior of those who ignored and continue to ignore individual human rights. He respected human beings and saw them as endowed with rights irrespective of their position as the accused or convicted and without attention to their aims and principles. Two days after his release from his last prison, he wrote:
If I disregard my joy in seeing my family happy, how can I be happy while so many individuals are imprisoned? Free-spirited thinkers such as Dr. Aghajari (who is serving multiple sentences and is imprisoned 30 kilometers from Hamedan which is hard for his family as well), Mr. Youssefi, and Mr. Eshkevari, competent researchers such as Abbas abdi and Hossein Ghazian, lawyers such Dadkhah, Soltani and Zarafshan, friends such as Akbar Ganji, prominent leaders of the student movement such as… Tabarzadi, and others such Sadr and Rostamkhani spend their prison sentences in places far away from their own cities. Siamak Purzand, the aged journalist, Mr. Eshraghi, the young and talented journalist, and many others whose memories fail my pen, and many others who I unfortunately do not know are in chain. Currently (2002) 110 journalists are imprisoned in the world. How can one be happy? My only happiness was in the suspension of house arrest for Ayatollah Montazeri. My feeling is like a person that has been transferred from solitary confinement to a general ward. The imprisonment approach to confront opposing thought is a worn out approach and in the contemporary world this knife is no longer sharp…They have to understand that the force of prison has not given answers anywhere in the world. Today there are countries with governments that are two to three hundred years old and are generally democratic and they have stayed in power because of this and they also have confidence in their future. But countries that are managed by force and prison, which one has endured and which one see a future for itself? The Islamic Republic is endowed with this exceptional chance that has come out of a great revolution with democratic mechanisms placed in its constitution. I hope this chance is not discredited. No government can be proud of imprisonment and I hope that the judicial officials act with more far-sightedness… I am not remorseful about prison and I hold no grudge in my heart. If necessary for pushing forward democracy and spirituality in Iran, I am ready to return to prison….
Now he has returned to prison for the same democracy and spirituality and with the same beliefs, of course even firmer. Unfortunately in the past few days there has been pressure on the press for covering the news about my father. They cannot even accept this limited coverage and are attempting in the same way they have done with my father to isolate the society. However, the convening of this meeting – even if it is not covered by the press – is reflective of the fact that the memory of Baghi remains (yad-e Baghi baghi ast). My father, in prison, never forgot anyone, did not drop a prisoner from his pen, and partook in everyone’s sorrow.
Whether remember me or not
I do not ease your memory
My eyes await you
Night time
When shadows take on black tint
My eyes await you
In the name of truth2
Whispered to me last night
How blessed the one who is now free
Alas afflicted hen’s heart
Entangled in hunter’s restrain
Do not utter these words, I said
Alas for you and I today
Our objective is to speak the truth
At the end our way will be triumphant!
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank and show gratitude to all those who have organized this meeting, all the journalists who out of respect for pen and thought have called upon others to join, and also all civil society activists that are present in this meeting.
In addition, I would like to thank the governing board of the Association of Iranian Journalists for making this meeting possible. In the past 25 years, since 1981, my father has always as a writer been a member of the Press’ large family and today the one year sentence for which he has apparently been imprisoned is for articles that he has written for the country’s reputable newspaper.
We have repeatedly expressed our objections to my father’s imprisonment through his lawyer as well as the family. My father continues to serve his one year sentence in prison but, for another case regarding the activities of a civil society institution (Society for Defending Prisoners’ Rights), is under interrogation and pressure in a closed cell, prevented from being moved to a general ward or freed on bail set by the magistrate. We object to this situation.
My father, in a short twenty minute meeting, proudly announced that he is ready for a public defense in a just court and demanded the convening of such a court as soon as possible on the basis of Article 168 of the Constitution.
My father sees himself as a prisoner of pen, thought, and his just actions (civil society, press and human rights activities). Yesterday, in the year that was named the year of “security and unity,” he was imprisoned by being accused of writing articles that apparently caused distress in the sleep of some, and was sentenced to prison. Today in the year that has been called a year of “national unity and Islamic solidity” he has again been sent to prison on the basis of the accusations of the same case. Of course, in truth, today the main accusation against him relates to the case of him being the conscious witness of civil society, watching the activities of the government, preparing and writing reports about the situation of those accused, and trying to reduce the sufferings of the accused and convicted. Unfortunately the names chosen for these years have been turned into misnomers due to the irresponsibility of some and it is precisely in these years that the rights of individuals are undermined.
In his short meeting, my father had concerns that went beyond him. He was worried about the arrest of students and was wondering whether in the period of his imprisonment execution orders were issued or implemented. Even in prison he was a vigilant watchdog over the performance of prison wardens and rulers and this concern is not a new concern but a perpetual issue for him. He has always considered the instrument of prison as ineffective. Last night I was glancing at my father’s daily journal and was reviewing his writings after freedom from his last imprisonment. I noticed that, whether inside or outside of the prison, he always worried about the behavior of those who ignored and continue to ignore individual human rights. He respected human beings and saw them as endowed with rights irrespective of their position as the accused or convicted and without attention to their aims and principles. Two days after his release from his last prison, he wrote:
If I disregard my joy in seeing my family happy, how can I be happy while so many individuals are imprisoned? Free-spirited thinkers such as Dr. Aghajari (who is serving multiple sentences and is imprisoned 30 kilometers from Hamedan which is hard for his family as well), Mr. Youssefi, and Mr. Eshkevari, competent researchers such as Abbas abdi and Hossein Ghazian, lawyers such Dadkhah, Soltani and Zarafshan, friends such as Akbar Ganji, prominent leaders of the student movement such as… Tabarzadi, and others such Sadr and Rostamkhani spend their prison sentences in places far away from their own cities. Siamak Purzand, the aged journalist, Mr. Eshraghi, the young and talented journalist, and many others whose memories fail my pen, and many others who I unfortunately do not know are in chain. Currently (2002) 110 journalists are imprisoned in the world. How can one be happy? My only happiness was in the suspension of house arrest for Ayatollah Montazeri. My feeling is like a person that has been transferred from solitary confinement to a general ward. The imprisonment approach to confront opposing thought is a worn out approach and in the contemporary world this knife is no longer sharp…They have to understand that the force of prison has not given answers anywhere in the world. Today there are countries with governments that are two to three hundred years old and are generally democratic and they have stayed in power because of this and they also have confidence in their future. But countries that are managed by force and prison, which one has endured and which one see a future for itself? The Islamic Republic is endowed with this exceptional chance that has come out of a great revolution with democratic mechanisms placed in its constitution. I hope this chance is not discredited. No government can be proud of imprisonment and I hope that the judicial officials act with more far-sightedness… I am not remorseful about prison and I hold no grudge in my heart. If necessary for pushing forward democracy and spirituality in Iran, I am ready to return to prison….
Now he has returned to prison for the same democracy and spirituality and with the same beliefs, of course even firmer. Unfortunately in the past few days there has been pressure on the press for covering the news about my father. They cannot even accept this limited coverage and are attempting in the same way they have done with my father to isolate the society. However, the convening of this meeting – even if it is not covered by the press – is reflective of the fact that the memory of Baghi remains (yad-e Baghi baghi ast). My father, in prison, never forgot anyone, did not drop a prisoner from his pen, and partook in everyone’s sorrow.
Whether remember me or not
I do not ease your memory
My eyes await you
Night time
When shadows take on black tint
My eyes await you
Emadeddin Baghi’s Bibliography
With especial thanks and appreciation to Naheed hamdani
Emadeddin Baghi’s Bibliography
1- In Identification of Hezbe Ghaedine Zaman (1983)
An analytical and historical book about Hojjatieh association. Baghi has revised the book during recent years but has not succeeded in publishing the book. This book has been reprinted several times during 1983. It peaked to 85000 copies.
2- A survey about Rohaniat (1985)
A research based historical book about the history of the institution of Clergy. A meticulous collection but was not reprinted since then. Even the new version of the book was not permitted to publication.
3- A survey of Iran’s revolution
A historical and research oriented book about the Islamic republic Revolution (1991), with a brief about Iran’s contemporary history which was reprinted in 2003 with a new version.
4- Oral history of Islamic revolution (1994)
A research work in BBC and other foreign broadcasters’ narration from the beginning of the Islamic republic revolution.
5- Revolution and the struggle for life (1997)
A research based and historical book about capturing the US embassy in Tehran together with the documents of the action of the “Muslim Students Following Imam Khomeyni”.
6- An introduction to Islamic revolution’s historiography (1991)
A roundtable with the presence of Emadeddin Baghi, Asadollah Badamchian, Hatam Ghaderi and Sadegh Zibakalam concerning methods and theories of Islamic republic’s historiography
7- Iran’s Student’s Movement (1997)
An analytical book about the history of students’ activities in Iran from the beginning to the Islamic Republic Revolution. It was reprinted in the year 2000 with the new version.
8- History of Iran in Contemporary Era (1999)
A textbook written for the secondary school together with two other authors which was refused to be taught after a while.
9- Fara Dastan and Foro Dastan(2000)
Baghi’s memory of the events and the years that ended in the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Revolution
10- The sociology of Imam Hossein’s Movement and the People of Kofe (2000)
A scientific and theoretical book about Ashora movement and behavioral psychology of the people of Iraq which has been translated into Arabic and published in Lebanon.
11, 12 – The Tragedy of Democracy in Iran (2 Vols.) (1999-2000)
Chronological book concerning the serial murdering of intellectuals is a unique book in its type. The second Vol. is a research work. The first Vol is the collection of the author’s articles in the media. These two books were banned publication.
13- For history (2000)
A collection of articles concerning intelligence ministry, security and assassination of Hajjarian and dialogue with him about intelligence ministry and serial murdering.
14- Oppositions’ Rights (2002)
A theoretical book containing Baghi’s articles in the reformist newspapers regarding freedom and oppositions’ rights and the rights of intellectuals.
15- Spring of the fourth pillar (2002)
The collection of Baghi’s articles, lectures and dialogues concerning gazettes and political development and his experiences of writing and management in the reformist gazettes
16- Place of Worship in the Era of Tradition and Modernity (2002)
A researched book and an encyclopedia about religious sociology which has been collected and published by the surveillance of Emadeddin Baghi and with the presence of many authors and researchers
17- Execution (E’dam) and Retaliation (Qesas) (2002)
Baghi’s scientific and religious defenses before the court concerning “execution and retaliation articles” and religious theories about the issue- the second Vol. which is an exploratory and theoretical book has been reviewed and revised but was not permitted publishing by the guidance ministry.
18- Contemporary Religious Discourses (2003)
A collection of Baghi’s articles and discourses regarding religious and cultural issues of the society, which has been printed in different newspapers.
19- The Birth of a Revolution (2003)
A sociological and scientific book about how in a society a revolution takes place. Sections of this book have been printed in Hamshahri newspaper serially.
20- The Clergies and the Power (2002)
A religious and sociological book about the relationship between religion and politics, clergies and the government, was not permitted publishing.
21- Criminal Justice (2002)
Translated into Persian by Emadeddin Baghi and Mohammad Hossein Baghi concerning the US Judicial system. Baghi in his previous sentence codified it in the prison.
22- Democratic Reform Movement in Iran (2003)
Baghi’s articles about political reforms in Iran from 1997 to 2004 were also published in the newspapers. In these articles the relationship between two concepts of reform and revolution has been discussed.
In protest of the denial of the permission for the publication of some of his books Baghi wrote an open letter to the guidance minister of Ahmadinejad government but received no answer. The titles of these books are as follows:
23- The Experience of Khomeyni (collections of articles and researches about Ayatollah khomeyni)
24- Lessons from Human Rights
25- The Right to Life (this book is going to be published by one of the human rights institutions in Afghanistan)
26- Secularism
27- The Modern City (a book about the “New Concept” from sociological perspective)
28- Religion and Human Rights
Of his articles, there is an article about the Issue of Executions of under -18. This article was first published in Ham Mihan newspaper and then translated by Amnesty International. At the same time, he has published many articles in different arenas such as sociology, history, politics, religion and human rights in the newspapers.
Emadeddin Baghi’s Bibliography
1- In Identification of Hezbe Ghaedine Zaman (1983)
An analytical and historical book about Hojjatieh association. Baghi has revised the book during recent years but has not succeeded in publishing the book. This book has been reprinted several times during 1983. It peaked to 85000 copies.
2- A survey about Rohaniat (1985)
A research based historical book about the history of the institution of Clergy. A meticulous collection but was not reprinted since then. Even the new version of the book was not permitted to publication.
3- A survey of Iran’s revolution
A historical and research oriented book about the Islamic republic Revolution (1991), with a brief about Iran’s contemporary history which was reprinted in 2003 with a new version.
4- Oral history of Islamic revolution (1994)
A research work in BBC and other foreign broadcasters’ narration from the beginning of the Islamic republic revolution.
5- Revolution and the struggle for life (1997)
A research based and historical book about capturing the US embassy in Tehran together with the documents of the action of the “Muslim Students Following Imam Khomeyni”.
6- An introduction to Islamic revolution’s historiography (1991)
A roundtable with the presence of Emadeddin Baghi, Asadollah Badamchian, Hatam Ghaderi and Sadegh Zibakalam concerning methods and theories of Islamic republic’s historiography
7- Iran’s Student’s Movement (1997)
An analytical book about the history of students’ activities in Iran from the beginning to the Islamic Republic Revolution. It was reprinted in the year 2000 with the new version.
8- History of Iran in Contemporary Era (1999)
A textbook written for the secondary school together with two other authors which was refused to be taught after a while.
9- Fara Dastan and Foro Dastan(2000)
Baghi’s memory of the events and the years that ended in the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Revolution
10- The sociology of Imam Hossein’s Movement and the People of Kofe (2000)
A scientific and theoretical book about Ashora movement and behavioral psychology of the people of Iraq which has been translated into Arabic and published in Lebanon.
11, 12 – The Tragedy of Democracy in Iran (2 Vols.) (1999-2000)
Chronological book concerning the serial murdering of intellectuals is a unique book in its type. The second Vol. is a research work. The first Vol is the collection of the author’s articles in the media. These two books were banned publication.
13- For history (2000)
A collection of articles concerning intelligence ministry, security and assassination of Hajjarian and dialogue with him about intelligence ministry and serial murdering.
14- Oppositions’ Rights (2002)
A theoretical book containing Baghi’s articles in the reformist newspapers regarding freedom and oppositions’ rights and the rights of intellectuals.
15- Spring of the fourth pillar (2002)
The collection of Baghi’s articles, lectures and dialogues concerning gazettes and political development and his experiences of writing and management in the reformist gazettes
16- Place of Worship in the Era of Tradition and Modernity (2002)
A researched book and an encyclopedia about religious sociology which has been collected and published by the surveillance of Emadeddin Baghi and with the presence of many authors and researchers
17- Execution (E’dam) and Retaliation (Qesas) (2002)
Baghi’s scientific and religious defenses before the court concerning “execution and retaliation articles” and religious theories about the issue- the second Vol. which is an exploratory and theoretical book has been reviewed and revised but was not permitted publishing by the guidance ministry.
18- Contemporary Religious Discourses (2003)
A collection of Baghi’s articles and discourses regarding religious and cultural issues of the society, which has been printed in different newspapers.
19- The Birth of a Revolution (2003)
A sociological and scientific book about how in a society a revolution takes place. Sections of this book have been printed in Hamshahri newspaper serially.
20- The Clergies and the Power (2002)
A religious and sociological book about the relationship between religion and politics, clergies and the government, was not permitted publishing.
21- Criminal Justice (2002)
Translated into Persian by Emadeddin Baghi and Mohammad Hossein Baghi concerning the US Judicial system. Baghi in his previous sentence codified it in the prison.
22- Democratic Reform Movement in Iran (2003)
Baghi’s articles about political reforms in Iran from 1997 to 2004 were also published in the newspapers. In these articles the relationship between two concepts of reform and revolution has been discussed.
In protest of the denial of the permission for the publication of some of his books Baghi wrote an open letter to the guidance minister of Ahmadinejad government but received no answer. The titles of these books are as follows:
23- The Experience of Khomeyni (collections of articles and researches about Ayatollah khomeyni)
24- Lessons from Human Rights
25- The Right to Life (this book is going to be published by one of the human rights institutions in Afghanistan)
26- Secularism
27- The Modern City (a book about the “New Concept” from sociological perspective)
28- Religion and Human Rights
Of his articles, there is an article about the Issue of Executions of under -18. This article was first published in Ham Mihan newspaper and then translated by Amnesty International. At the same time, he has published many articles in different arenas such as sociology, history, politics, religion and human rights in the newspapers.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Support letters for Baghi:
A group of Iran’s political and cultural activists protest to the detainment of Emaddin Baghi. Their open protest letter reads as below:
In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate
Last week Mr. Emaddin Baghi, a political activist, journalist and the chairman of the Defending prisoners’ rights center (society) was arrested and jailed.
He is a well-reputed figure and has been genuine supporter of the revolution, honest follower of the late Imam (May God rest his soul in peace), Muslim devotee intellectual and reform-minded person whose political record endorses his traits and personal characters.
It is doubtless that detaining such a political activist and Muslim character, in coincidence with forthcoming election campaign of the 8th parliament does not suggest a promising and pleasant future regarding the health of the election and liberty existence in the political ambiance of the country, particularly , it is reported that according to Tehran prosecuting office of the judicial branch the reason of his arrest dates back to a suspended verdict issued four years ago and one year later the “ suspense’ was removed from the verdict.
Anyone acquainted with judicial issues or even poorly familiar in this regard can not be convinced that a verdict which was ratified three years ago and so far, practically suspended becomes the excuse for arresting Mr. Baghi. To worsen the situation, he is blind folded, hand cuffed like any given defendant and taken to the judge for interrogation or prosecutor attorney and still is being kept in solitary confinement and so on… While as per the announcement of the judiciary officials he has been arrested to be punished for a suspended verdict issued 4 years ago. Today, the political circles of the country associate his arrest to his recent activities in Defending prisoners Rights center and lately protests to the way some of the verdicts were issues and executed as well as his protest to some faceless trends which try to intimidate and terrorize people and impose restriction on the political atmosphere in Iran on the heel of the election. In particular, it is reported that in one of his previous summon for interrogation, he was told that unless he shut down his defending prisoners rights Center ,he would be ended up in jail.
We, the following signatories condemn his arrest and implore the violating law against him and consider the detainment in line with imposing pressure on civil institutes and restricting socio –political freedom.
We call for immediate release of this reform minded political activist and return of his dossier to legal procedure. Among the many signatories, a few of them has been mentioned.
Names: Mohsen Armin, Marzieh Azarafza , Seyed Hashem Aghajeri , Morteza Alviri , Mohsen Aminzade ,Ahmad Borghani , seyed Mostafa Tajzade , Hamid Reza Jalaeepor , Ali Akbare Dadvar , Seyed Mohammad Salamati , Mohammad Atrianfar , Mohsen Kadivar, Ali Mazroee , etc.
In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate
Last week Mr. Emaddin Baghi, a political activist, journalist and the chairman of the Defending prisoners’ rights center (society) was arrested and jailed.
He is a well-reputed figure and has been genuine supporter of the revolution, honest follower of the late Imam (May God rest his soul in peace), Muslim devotee intellectual and reform-minded person whose political record endorses his traits and personal characters.
It is doubtless that detaining such a political activist and Muslim character, in coincidence with forthcoming election campaign of the 8th parliament does not suggest a promising and pleasant future regarding the health of the election and liberty existence in the political ambiance of the country, particularly , it is reported that according to Tehran prosecuting office of the judicial branch the reason of his arrest dates back to a suspended verdict issued four years ago and one year later the “ suspense’ was removed from the verdict.
Anyone acquainted with judicial issues or even poorly familiar in this regard can not be convinced that a verdict which was ratified three years ago and so far, practically suspended becomes the excuse for arresting Mr. Baghi. To worsen the situation, he is blind folded, hand cuffed like any given defendant and taken to the judge for interrogation or prosecutor attorney and still is being kept in solitary confinement and so on… While as per the announcement of the judiciary officials he has been arrested to be punished for a suspended verdict issued 4 years ago. Today, the political circles of the country associate his arrest to his recent activities in Defending prisoners Rights center and lately protests to the way some of the verdicts were issues and executed as well as his protest to some faceless trends which try to intimidate and terrorize people and impose restriction on the political atmosphere in Iran on the heel of the election. In particular, it is reported that in one of his previous summon for interrogation, he was told that unless he shut down his defending prisoners rights Center ,he would be ended up in jail.
We, the following signatories condemn his arrest and implore the violating law against him and consider the detainment in line with imposing pressure on civil institutes and restricting socio –political freedom.
We call for immediate release of this reform minded political activist and return of his dossier to legal procedure. Among the many signatories, a few of them has been mentioned.
Names: Mohsen Armin, Marzieh Azarafza , Seyed Hashem Aghajeri , Morteza Alviri , Mohsen Aminzade ,Ahmad Borghani , seyed Mostafa Tajzade , Hamid Reza Jalaeepor , Ali Akbare Dadvar , Seyed Mohammad Salamati , Mohammad Atrianfar , Mohsen Kadivar, Ali Mazroee , etc.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Baghi's avoidance to be interrogated
Today (Monday 14th of Aban= November 5, 2007), Emadeddin Baghi's family paid a visit to him at Evin prison. Talking to his family, Emaddeddin Baghi declared that he has been interrogated 14 times since he has been sent behind bars, 3 sessions at the revolutionary court and 11 of which at the prison by the security agents based at the prison.
Baghi announced that because the process of legal interrogation at the court is over, he has not replied to the interrogations at the prison since November 4, 2007 (13th of Aban, 1386) and he will merely defend himself before the fair court with the fair juries, according to Article 168 of the Constitution.
Baghi, who had been visiting his family after 24 days and only for 20 minutes from behind a glass cabin via telephone, expressed that "I have not accepted the charges" and has protested against the execution of one year prison sentence. He demanded the judiciary chief Ayatollah Shahroodi and the intelligence ministry Mr. Mohseni Ejei to read through the interrogation documents to find out how the interrogators of these two organizations treat and behave the prisoners and how they try to accuse and file illegal lawsuits against peoples. He says "I have the right to inform the public".
He is now being held in cell No. 209 (security cell headed by intelligent agents) in isolated conditions and without access to any newspaper, book or paper and pen, etc while prisoners who found guilty of embezzlement and economic charges have full access to refrigerator, Television and even laptop computers. Shameful is that when Baghi had found a very small sheet of paper on which he wrote the numbers of Koranic verses, the authorities took away even this small sheet of paper (baghi even in terrible situation of the prison is doing research on the koranic verses to extract verses about the execution to prove that Koran is against the execution. Meanwhile the only book which is available for him is a small pocket Koran). Yesterday's visit held in a depressing and terrible situation. The family's visit took place only after hours of delay and passing about 50 stairs. This happened while Mr. Baghi's wife had to undergo a surgery on her knees on 12th of Aban (November 3, 2007) which postponed her surgery after Mr. Baghi's imprisonment. We witnessed that there was a big difference (or let's say discrimination) between Baghi and other prisoners. He looked like a bearded man and was the only prisoner dressed in the prison cloth.
Baghi declared that I will never attend the cabin again to visit my family.
Baghi despite setting a bail by the court and despite executing 1 year prison sentence (which requires him to be at the general cell) but is still being kept in a closed and isolated cell along with another prisoner that his identity in unknown. Emad is accused of revealing secret information and documents of prisons in conferences and gatherings by the help of security prisoners. He is being interrogated for the statements and annual reports of his association about prisons' conditions around Persia.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri criticizes the government for detaining Baghi
(This is part of his long speech)
At the meeting with the college students, Grand Ayatollah said: "Baghi has been sent behind bars due to hypocritical, insincere and deceitful charges and illegal lawsuits". He emphasized "what is Baghi's fault? Isn't he defending the rights of prisoners and their family? His sincere and pure efforts and endeavors were to help and assist the families whose bread winner is behind bars and that the prisoner can defend his/her own right".
Grand Ayatollah went on to say that Baghi didn't mind the prisoners are political or apolitical ones. Should these benevolent and compassionate people be kept in prisons or should we praise and admire them for their kind efforts? Do the activities of Baghi and the like and those who believe in human rights help to decline the foreign pressures over the country? These behaviors are illegal and should be prevented.
Baghi announced that because the process of legal interrogation at the court is over, he has not replied to the interrogations at the prison since November 4, 2007 (13th of Aban, 1386) and he will merely defend himself before the fair court with the fair juries, according to Article 168 of the Constitution.
Baghi, who had been visiting his family after 24 days and only for 20 minutes from behind a glass cabin via telephone, expressed that "I have not accepted the charges" and has protested against the execution of one year prison sentence. He demanded the judiciary chief Ayatollah Shahroodi and the intelligence ministry Mr. Mohseni Ejei to read through the interrogation documents to find out how the interrogators of these two organizations treat and behave the prisoners and how they try to accuse and file illegal lawsuits against peoples. He says "I have the right to inform the public".
He is now being held in cell No. 209 (security cell headed by intelligent agents) in isolated conditions and without access to any newspaper, book or paper and pen, etc while prisoners who found guilty of embezzlement and economic charges have full access to refrigerator, Television and even laptop computers. Shameful is that when Baghi had found a very small sheet of paper on which he wrote the numbers of Koranic verses, the authorities took away even this small sheet of paper (baghi even in terrible situation of the prison is doing research on the koranic verses to extract verses about the execution to prove that Koran is against the execution. Meanwhile the only book which is available for him is a small pocket Koran). Yesterday's visit held in a depressing and terrible situation. The family's visit took place only after hours of delay and passing about 50 stairs. This happened while Mr. Baghi's wife had to undergo a surgery on her knees on 12th of Aban (November 3, 2007) which postponed her surgery after Mr. Baghi's imprisonment. We witnessed that there was a big difference (or let's say discrimination) between Baghi and other prisoners. He looked like a bearded man and was the only prisoner dressed in the prison cloth.
Baghi declared that I will never attend the cabin again to visit my family.
Baghi despite setting a bail by the court and despite executing 1 year prison sentence (which requires him to be at the general cell) but is still being kept in a closed and isolated cell along with another prisoner that his identity in unknown. Emad is accused of revealing secret information and documents of prisons in conferences and gatherings by the help of security prisoners. He is being interrogated for the statements and annual reports of his association about prisons' conditions around Persia.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri criticizes the government for detaining Baghi
(This is part of his long speech)
At the meeting with the college students, Grand Ayatollah said: "Baghi has been sent behind bars due to hypocritical, insincere and deceitful charges and illegal lawsuits". He emphasized "what is Baghi's fault? Isn't he defending the rights of prisoners and their family? His sincere and pure efforts and endeavors were to help and assist the families whose bread winner is behind bars and that the prisoner can defend his/her own right".
Grand Ayatollah went on to say that Baghi didn't mind the prisoners are political or apolitical ones. Should these benevolent and compassionate people be kept in prisons or should we praise and admire them for their kind efforts? Do the activities of Baghi and the like and those who believe in human rights help to decline the foreign pressures over the country? These behaviors are illegal and should be prevented.
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