Death sentence for a journalist confirmed

Iranian High Court has conformed death sentence for a Adnan Hassanpour , journalist of Kurdish origin, who had been arrested on 17 July 2007.

Saleh Nikbakht, attorney to the accused has declared that the sentence was confirmed by the 13th branch of the Court. This is while, death sentence of Hiwa boutimar, the second Kurdish journalist, which had been previously violated is being reconsidered.

Mr.Nikbakht has declared the verdict unjust, and emphasized that he will be challenging the Courts verdict.

Although both journalist have been engaged in news publications such as the weekly “Aso”, (published in two languages , Farsi and Kurdish) and “Sabze chia” (which covers news on environment and warming), both journalists- Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed Boutimar (known as Hiwa) – have been charged for infidelity, which corresponds with arm struggle in the Islamic state.

The journalists’ lawyer has categorically denied the announced charges as relevant, and has emphasized that the real charges of his clients are: espionage, disclosing Iranian military installation information to enemy, helping to escape suspects involved in explosions in Ahwaz in the South of Iran thorough western Iranian borders, and being in contact with an official of the US State Department.

Relatives to Adnan Hassanpour and Hiwa Boutimar, have said that the two journalists have been forced to accept the charges under intense torture by Intelligence Ministry agents.

Their lawyer has also underlined the fact that he has been prevented from meeting with his clients.