Another Kurdish worker was murdered by the Iranian government forces

Demonstration of Kurdish people after murdering several innocent Kurdish by the Iranian government against the police of sardasht

On 9:30 am 9/22/2011, a Kurdish worker by the name of Ahmad Satary was shot and killed by the Iranian government forces. Mr. satari was 50 years old, with 5 children from village of “qola rash” part of Kurdish city of Sardasht. He was shot around the area of “sura chom” near the village of “Qalarash” and wounded. He lost his life on the way to City of Saradasht main hospital due to the injuries and returned back to his village. People of the village due to the rage of continue murdering of Kurdish workers protested and closed down the main road to the village of “darman abad”. After hours of protest and growth of the protesters, a police car including 4 Iranian police arrives on the scene to disperse the people from the area. Angry protesters attack the police car and in result of peoples attack, the police car caught on fire and 3 police were wounded.

It is important to know that, in the past 2 weeks, 4 Kurdish workers were murdered by the Iranian government. The 3 other names are as followed:

1.    Hussien zamani from the Kurdish village of Qala rash

2.    Awat zamani from the Kurdish village of hamza abad

3.    Awat yousefi  from the Kurdish village of darman abad which was killed in the village of Maraqan

Were shot and killed by the Iranian government. People of the area say that the following murders of Kurdish workers are being done by plan and have not happened before until recently. People’s demonstration continued until the sunset

22 Prisoners Hanged in Evin & Rajai-Shahr by the iranian government

HRANA News Agency – On Sunday, September 18, 2011, twenty two prisoners were hanged in Evin and Rajai-Shahr prisons. These inmates were previously transferred out of Ghazel Hesar Prison. The news of seven other prisoners also executed on Sunday was released yesterday.

Iranian state media has confirmed that twenty two prisoners have been hanged and reported, “The death sentences confirmed by the Attorney General were carried out on prison grounds in Evin and Rajai-Shahr prisons early yesterday morning.” These prisoners were charged with various crimes related to illegal drugs.

The following details about these prisoners have been released:

1. Mohammad Kh. charged with selling 59 kg opium.
2. Mohammad N. charged with transporting 480 grams of heroin into prison.
3. Avaz P. charged with forming a drug trafficking gang and possession of 683 kg opium.
4. Agha H. charged with membership in a drug trafficking gang and possession of illegal drugs.
5. Jan B. charged with transporting 425 grams of heroin into prison.
6. Ali G. charged with transporting 385 grams of crack cocaine into prison.
7. Sadi C. charged with possession of 908 grams of crack cocaine, 5/7 grams of opium and 15 grams of the burnt leftover of opium.
8. Esmail M. charged with distributing 150 kg of opium, selling 50 kg of illegal drugs and possessing 20 kg of opium.
9. Hassan T. charged with transporting 265 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
10. Mehdi P. charged with possessing 67 kg of crack cocaine and 36 kg of opium.
11. Mohammad E. charged with helping to transport 702 grams of heroin and distributing 650 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
12. Abbas A. charged with possessing 2 kg and 200 grams of heroin.
13. Omaid Kh. charged with selling 4 kg of morphine.
14. Vahid M. charged with transporting 307 grams of crack cocaine into prison.
15. Saeid M. charged with helping to transport 1 kg of compressed heroin blocks.
16. Ali P. charged with transporting 410 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
17. Shahram Sh. charged with transporting 670 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
18. Abdol Majid M. charged with transporting 391 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
19. Karim Q. charged with selling 49 kg and 500 grams of opium.
20. Majid F. charged with transporting 346 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
21. Ali N. charged with transporting 420 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.
22. Hatam M. charged with transporting 290 grams of compressed heroin blocks into prison.  

Source: http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=arcle&id=518:twenty-two-prisoners-hanged-in-evin-a-rajai-shahr&catid=15:execution&Itemid=10

Schools and Universities in Turkey boycotted by the Kurds in North Kurdistan

Schools and universities are boycotted by Kurdish students and teachers in the Kurdish region of Turkey.
Although, today 19^th September 2011 the schools and universities were opened in Turkey for academic year 2011 and 2012, Kurds are boycotting schools and universities for a week.
This boycotting is owing to the request of Kurdistan Democratic Commission Language (KCD) as Kurdish educational system is still shamelessly prohibited by Turkish government and people who demand for it are brutally prosecuted.
The composition education branch of Amed (Diyarbakir) has requested demonstration against this fascist system that formulates Kurdish educational system to be prohibited and deprived millions of Kurds especially youths from studying by their native language.

source: http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1605-kurds-boycotted-schools-and-universities-in-turkey

A Kurd was executed by the Iranian Government

According to Kordpa News 1 kurdish prisoner was executed.
a Kurdish prisoner named as Sadadin Selimi 35 years old and resident of Sorxru village of Sanandaj (sine)(senna) City was hanged on yesterday morning in Kahrizak prison on the ground of drug dealing.

These 2 Executions increased the toll to 365 executions for 2011 in Iran by the iranian government.

Over 300 Kurdish political activists arrested last month by the Turkish Government

Turkey is seeking the EU membership but in the last month over 300 Kurdish political and civil activists have been taken into custody and 148 have been remanded in custody.
Only last week Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had warned, following the publication on the internet of the recording of a meeting between Turkish intelligence officers and PKK members, that the PKK and Kurdish politicians should not expect any nice treatment. Indeed words were followed by practice.
Yesterday in Istanbul a total of 161 people peacefully protesting against the isolation of Kurdish national leader Abdullah Ocalan have been taken into custody after the police had attacked the crowd using dozens of tear gas. In the night it was confirmed that out of 161 people in custody only 20 had been released.

Indeed the Prime Minister had warned the Kurds before the month of Ramadan started. He had said that "after the Ramadan month things will change and the state will act to put an end to the PKK".
The army and Erdogan did not wait the end of Ramadan. Indeed military operations were carried out during the whole fasting period with several invasion of the Kurdistan Federal Region by the Turkish troops. Air raids went on almost nonstop since the 17 of August. Seven civilians, included 4 children, were killed in the raids.

To protest against the military operations hundreds of human shields have been staging demonstrations at the border. They have been constantly violently attacked by the police and the army. One Kurdish politician democratically elected council member Ayhan was killed when the police opened fire on the crowd.

The arrests top 300 in one month, with Istanbul bearing the worst scares. Among the people taken into custody are many BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) members and executives, as well as demonstrators and children (at least five minors have been taken into custody in Istanbul).

On 1 September, International Peace Day, the demonstration in Istanbul had to be called abruptly to an end after the numerous attacks by police. In this occasion 55 people had been taken into custody and 38 were remanded in custody. The last repressive measure taken in Istanbul was the prohibition of the Civil Friday Prayer.

In Mersin and Adana repression and arrests have been heavy as well. In Adana a total of 42 people have been taken into custody and 15 were remanded in custody. Among them several BDP members and executives. Likewise in Mersin 37 people have been taken into custody and 28 are on remand.

source: http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1602-over-300-kurdish-political-activists-detained-last-month

2 more Mass Graves found in North Kurdistan containing 12 bodies of Kurdish freedom Fighters killed by Turkish government

Two more mass graves were found in Bitlis, a Kurdish city where it’s believed to contain more than 300 mass graves of the Kurdish guerrilla of the PKK and the civilian Kurds.
The two newly discovered mass graves contained 12 bodies, including three civilians. The mass graves are located in two different areas, at kilometers 20 and 25 of the Bitlis River.

According to the testimony of an anonymous witness, who was a village guard at the time the mass grave was excavated three civilians wearing suits were left in a pit dug by soldiers’ panzers in 1994. The witness along with others covered the bodies after soldiers left the scene.

The Human Rights Association (IHD) Bitlis Representative Hasan Ceylan stated that according to their investigation, these civilians were political prisoners brought from Mush Prison and executed on the very spot of the mass grave.

Soldiers opened the other mass grave said to contain the remains of nine Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members who were killed in 1992 or 1993 following an ambush.

Ceylan said that the IHD applied to the prosecutor to investigate these two newly discovered mass graves.

source: http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1599-two-more-mass-graves-found-in-bitlis

Videos of Kurds protesting against Syrian government in Kurdish city of Amudah (Amûdê)

courtesy of Kurdwatch.org

Iranian Government to Execute a 17 years old Youth today

The Iranian authorities must halt the execution of a 17-year old accused of killing an athlete known as “Iran’s strongest man”, Amnesty International said today.
Alireza Molla-Soltani is to be hanged in public on Wednesday in the city of Karaj, near Tehran.
“The fact that Iran has decided to execute a 17-year old shows how little respect the authorities have for international human rights standards,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“What’s more, executing juvenile offenders is strictly forbidden under international treaties that Iran has signed up to. The Iranian authorities must uphold their international obligations, overturn this death sentence and review Alireza Molla-Soltani’s case,”  she said.
The boy was arrested a day after Ruhollah Dadashi, a popular athlete was stabbed three times during a driving dispute on 17 July. Alireza Molla-Soltani says he panicked and stabbed Ruhollah Dadashi in self-defence after the athlete attacked him in the dark, according to local media reports.
Ruhollah Dadashi reportedly punched Alireza Molla-Soltani in the mouth and slammed him against the car while the two were arguing.
Shortly after Alireza Molla-Soltani was arrested, a state prosecutor called for “a speedy resolution” of the case. A court in Karaj convicted the boy of “intentional murder” and on 20 August sentenced him to hanging in public. Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence on 11 September.
Alireza Molla-Soltani is to be hanged in Karaj’s Golshiri Square, where the incident happened, according to media reports quoting the victim’s brother who, by law, must be present at the execution.
Two of the boy’s friends who were with him on the night of the incident are reportedly to receive 80 lashings each in public at the same time.
“While we acknowledge the seriousness of the crime for which Alireza Molla-Soltani has been convicted, hanging a minor for acting in what appears to be self-defence is wrong and legally dubious ” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui
“Furthermore, the Iranian authorities must immediately order a halt to these floggings, and to review the conviction and sentence of all three.  Floggings are cruel punishments amounting to torture which are also forbidden under international law,” she added.
According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties to which Iran is a state party, sentencing someone under the age of 18 at the time of their offence to death is unlawful.
Iran is one of the very few countries still to execute juvenile offenders.  Two were executed in the southern port of Bandar Abbas in April this year.  Amnesty International also received reports that a third, 16-year-old Hashem Hamidi, was executed near Hamidiya, Khuzestan province in April.  The authorities did not announce his execution..


source: http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/36383

Iranian woman's right activist arrested a week ago and no news of her until now

Fereshteh Shirazi, women’s rights activist and member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, has been denied face-to-face prison visits and telephone contact with her family only a week after her arrest.
Fereshteh Shirazi was arrested on September 3rd, after being summoned to the Amol Ministry of Intelligence. So far there has been no information made available on her charges or the reason behind her arrest.
In September 2009, the women’s rights activist was repeatedly summoned to the Amol Ministry of Intelligence and interrogated. Her house was also inspected by security agents.
Last Friday, Elham Mohseni, Fereshteh Shirazi’s 17-year-old daughter was arrested along with five other people for engaging in a playful water fight in a park in Amol. They were released on a total of [approximately] $10 thousand [USD] bail (10 million tomans) after spending one night in detention at the police detention center and two days in the Amol Central prison.

source: http://chrr.biz/spip.php?article15927
source and translated by : http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/36443

3 Kurdish workers shot and killed by the Iranian government

Once again the Iranian border guards shot 3 Kurdish workers dead. Mr. Shirzad Amani 24 years old, a resident of Hormoz Abad village of Serdesht city was shot dead on yesterday while he was toiling on the border making the living for his family.
Today also the Iranian soldiers opened fire on a vehicle of a worker named as Awat, resident of Derman Awa village of Serdesht city. They firstly demanded Awat to stop his car, although he pulled off his vehicle on their demand, they opened fire and killed him on the spot.
It should be pointed that those unemployed Kurdish youths who are forced to work on the border, are regularly raided by the Iranian soldiers and many are killed annually.
A Kurd citizen of Sardasht identified as Rahim Qorbani was killed after security forces opened fire on him.
According to reports from Sardasht, Rahim Qorbani, son of Abdollah was from the Batu Khalaf Village in Sardasht who was killed in his village after security forces targeted him.
This Kurd man was a carrier or border tradesman in the Kurdistan mountainous area who had turned to this dangerous job to make a living.

source: http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1600-soldiers-killed-two-kurdish-workers
sources: http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/36366

3 Student Activists Arrested in Kurdish city of Sanandaj by the Iranian Government

HRANA News Agency – Over the past few days, three student activists, Mehdi Dohago, Milad Karimi and Soran Daneshvar, have been arrested by security agents in the city of Sanandaj.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), when three members of Democratic Union of Kurdish Students were summoned to the Intelligence Agency’s office in Sanandaj, they were arrested. There has been no news of them thus far. Mehdi Dohago is the secretary and Milad Karimi the deputy secretary of Democratic Union of Kurdish Students. Soran Daneshvar is responsible for the coordinating committee of the Union.

Previously, when Democratic Union of Kurdish Students was declared illegal, and the authorities shut down the Union, Mehdi Dohago was also detained, and other members were summoned to the Intelligence Agency’s office multiple times.

Democratic Union of Kurdish Students has issued a statement in relation to recent arrests. In part of the statement, the Union says, “Student organizations including the Union from the day it was established in 2004 have utilized rationality, tolerance and non-violent principles as their guiding values to independently pursuit activism within the framework of the constitution. The government’s policies towards such student organizations and the Union prove the nature of a totalitarian system aiming to purge all thoughts, voices and religious and linguistic diversity into one unit. Meanwhile, imposing heavy consequences on dissent in the society is the means by which the government is striving to reach its unattainable goals in Kurdistan.”

Last week during an orchestrated effort to increase pressure on civil and trade organizations in Kurdistan, eight member of Teachers’ Union were arrested on charges of acting against the national security, the membership in Teachers’ Union of Kurdistan and defending the families of those executed and political prisoners. The activists were later released because of the pressure exerted by teachers who attended gatherings to protest against these arrests.

source: http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=512:three-student-activists-arrested-in-sanandaj&catid=14:ethnic-minorities&Itemid=9

Khodadad Rashidi Hanged In Urmiya for Moharebeh by the Iranian Government

HRANA News Agency – On Saturday morning, September 17, 2011, a citizen was hanged on prison grounds in Urmia Central Prison.

According to a report by Mukrian News Agency, Khodadad Rashidi was arrested five years ago, charged with the crime of Enmity with God (Moharebeh) and sentenced to death. Khodadad Rashidi was hanged early this morning in Urmia, and his body was delivered to his family.

Khodadad Rashidi’s attorney, Ehsan Mojtavi, has confirmed his client’s execution.

source:  http://www.en-hrana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=513:khodadad-rashidi-hanged-in-urmia-for-moharebeh&catid=15:execution&Itemid=10

10 Members of Pro-Kurdish Party in Turkish Police Custody

Ten people were taken into police custody in the course of an operation against the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in Mersin on the eastern tip of the Mediterranean on Tuesday (13 September).

Raids on several private homes were carried out simultaneously on Tuesday morning. BDP Party Council Member Seyithan Kaya was taken into police custody together with BDP Mersin Provincial Executives Nurettin Artuğ and Osman Aka, Mediterranean Municipality Council Members Selim Ekinci and Hasan Arık, activist of the Democratic Freedom Women's Movement (DÖKH) Bedriye Bükte, Necmettin Pala and Nasır Özmen.

"The 1,400 people on the list announced by Altaylı are getting clear"

BDP Deputy for Mersin Ertuğrul Kürkçü evaluated the latest developments for bianet. He said that the government started jamming security policies of the Kurdish question with the latest operations.

"A list comprising 1,400 names was mentioned by [journalist] Fatih Altaylı. In the course of these operations we started understanding who is on the list", Kürkçü remarked and said that the recent custodies and arrests could not be brought in line with the law.

Kürkçü referred to a column written by Altaylı saying that after the religious holidays in the end of August, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was likely to start operations for the arrest of a total of 1,400 people allegedly affiliated with terrorist organizations.

Kürkçü continued, "One cannot speak of any crimes since there is nothing apart from regular party activities. These people are peaceful persons without any affiliations to weapons, violence or despotism. Thus, we want them to be released as soon as possible".

Kürkçü indicated that they were going to discuss the issue at the group meeting in Diyarbakır on Wednesday (14 September).

"It seems that the operations will continue the way they were started. However, a serious opposition against this course is mandatory because these custodies are not based on any concrete incident. They are just implementing a list that was defined beforehand".

"Right now, more than 2,500 people are in prison only in the scope of the trial against the Union of Kurdistan Communities [KCK]", Kürkçü emphasized.

"They are not allowed to talk to their lawyers or anybody else"

Mahmut Karabulut, Provincial Deputy Chair of the BDP in Mersin, claimed that the custodies were being carried out as part of the KCK operation.

Karabulut mentioned that "as usual" the file was confidential. The ten people in custody were not allowed to talk to anybody including their lawyers, he said.

"Due to the language used by the political power after the elections we could guess that the operations were going to be continued. The operations launched in Adana after the religious holidays have now leaped to Mersin", he noted and added that he did not believe that the people in custody were going to be released but that the mass custodies and arrests were going to be continued instead.

Mayor Mehmet Fazıl Türk recalled the news of journalist Altay published after the religious holidays and claiming that 1,400 people were going to be arrested. He said that Adana and Mersin were the starting points for this operation. (EKN/VK)

source: http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/132719-10-members-of-pro-kurdish-party-in-custody

Iran military forces set up on the borders despite the unilateral ceasefire announced by Kurdish Freedom Fighters

Although the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) had declared unilateral ceasefire and adhered to its terms and conditions, the Iranian regime dispatched further forces to the border regions of South and East Kurdistan. In the meantime the local people are threatened not to cooperate with PJAK.
According to our local correspondence, large numbers of the Iranian Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) dispatched from Qom city arrived at Shino on yesterday from where, they were sent to Keleshin.
Regimes militias are also reported to have been in the cities of Mahabad and Shino threatening the local people not to help the guerrillas of PJAK.
Regime has also increased military presence in the city of Serdesht. They have transferred 8 missile launchers along with large amount of ammunition to Bekhtiyari Compound.
In the surrounding of Bane city, regime is setting up artilleries.

source: http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1596-iran-amassed-military-forces-on-the-borders

9 people executed by Iranian government in south East of Iran

9 people were hanged on 15^th September 2011 by the Iranian Authorities.
The victims were charged with drug dealing and executed in the prisons of Zahidan and Taybad in the Baluch region located in south east of Iran, local news agency reported.
Although the Iranian government is recognized as one of the main drug traffickers by various reliable sources, Iran put to death dissidents labeling them as drug dealers to justify their execution.
Execution of people has taken a sharp increase even though the international human right organization notified Iranian regime to stop execution.
source: http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1593-9-people-executed-by-iranian-regime

International delegation denied access to mass grave in Turkey

International Delegation designed to visit mass graves in North Kurdistan was denied access to the sites by Turkish soldiers. MEYA-DER (association of relatives of the disappeared people) Peace Mothers Initiative, Van Women Association have joined a delegation of 36 people from Germany and set off to visit the mass grave where 41 PKK members including German sociologist Andrea Wolf in Çatak district of Van. Soldiers stopped the delegation at Narlı Military Station.

Upon the notification of a military official that the delegation will not be allowed on the ground of “security” instruction issued by the Governor, German parliamentarian Andrej Hunko asked to be allowed a phone call with the Governor who refused the demand and hung up on the parliamentarian. Commenting the situation as a scandal, Hunko stated that they will report the situation to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.

source:  http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1591-international-delegation-denied-access-to-mass-grave

Kurdish Parliament urges Turkey stop invasion immediately

Kurdish Regional Government has submitted a letter through Turkish embassy in Hewler (Erbil) to parliament of Turkey urging them to halt offensives.
The members of Kurdish parliament have requested the parliament of Turkey to undertake their responsibilities in ending Turkish invasion of Kurdistan and the bloodshed they have committed.
The Turkish ferocious assaults have started against positions of Kurdish Guerrillas and civilian people from both North and South of Kurdistan by Turkish Army for more than 3 months.
In the letter Kurdish MPs have demanded to start solving the Kurdish problem in a democratic way through negotiation and avoid fighting as it would not have any positive result except sabotaging.

source:  http://www.rojhelat.info/english/component/content/article/1590-kurdish-parliament-urges-turkey-stop-invasion-immediately

video of Protests on september 16, 2011 in qamishlo, in west kurdistan against Syrian Government

 

Thanks to Kurdwatch for providing these Videos .

Iran secretly hangs 15 people in Torbate Jaam Prison

freedomessenger, On Monday, September 12, at least 15 prisoners with drug crimes were secretly hanged in Torbate Jaam Prison. According to reports, these executions which are the third series of mass secret executions from the beginning of the [Persian} year in this prison have not been confirmed by the Khorasan Razavi Provincial Judiciary. But local sources in the town of Torbate Jaam and sources from villages in the vicinity have said that these executions were to be carried out on the Sunni Eid Fetr but were postponed after the prisoners’ families were informed. They were secretly carried out on Monday in the town prison. Two people identified by their last names as Ibrahimi and Kaboudani and another person identified as Ali Sharifi have been identified by local sources as being among those executed. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 14, 2011)

source: http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/35947

Leftist labor activists in Tabriz sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison by the Iranian government

Shahrokh Zamani, Mohammad Jarahi, Nima Pouryaghoub, and Sasan Vahebivash are students and labor activists in the city of Tabriz. Branch 1 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court sentenced these 4 individuals to a total of 22 ½ years behind bars while a fifth defendant was found not guilty.
According to Human Rights House of Iran, the prime suspect, Shahrokh Zamani was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for “creating groups against the regime” added by another year behind bars for “propaganda against the regime”, totaling 11 years in prison.
The second defendant, Mohammad Jarahi, was sentenced to 5 years for the charge of “organizing a group against the regime.” The third denfendant, Nima Pouryaghoub was sentenced to 5 years for “organizing a group against the regime” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime” totaling 6 years in prison.
The forth defendant, Sasan Vahebivash was sentenced to 91 days in prison stemming from the charges of “membership in an opposition group” and 91 days for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling 6 months behind bars.
The fifth defendant Buick Sidler was acquitted of all charges.
The trial for these 5 defendants was held on August 18, 2011 in Branch 1 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court. Prior to the court session, 3 of the defendants, Nima Pouryaghoub, Sasan Vahebivash, and Buick Sidler had been allowed out of prison with heavy bails. Nima’s bail was 100 million tomans (approximating $95,000) and the other two paid 30 million tomans (approximating $30,000) before being temporarily released from Tabriz prison.
In recent years it has been unprecedented for verdicts this heavy to be handed down to political prisoners in the city of Tabriz.

source: http://www.rahana.org/en/?p=11878

Iranian Blogger, Somayeh Tohidlou was Flogged

HRANA News Agency – The flogging sentence against Somayeh Tohidlou was carried out on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. Somayeh Tohidlou is an activist with ties to Mir Hussein Mousavi’s 2009 presidential campaign.
According to a report by Jaras News, Somayeh Tohidlou is a 33 year old PhD student of sociology in Tehran University. Yesterday, while in shackles, she was flogged in Evin Prison. The Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to one year in prison and 50 lashes on charges of insulting the president [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad].After being released on bail, her sentence was commuted to 50 lashes.
From 1996 to 2001, Somayeh Tohidlou was a member of the Central Council of Islamic Association in Tehran University. Currently, she is a PhD student and a blogger.

source:  http://www.en-hrana.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=510:somayeh-tohidlou-flogged-in-shackles&catid=9:women&Itemid=15

Iran’s release of US hikers under conditions

Iran’s judiciary said on Wednesday that no decision has been taken on releasing two US hikers convicted of spying, a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted the duo would be released soon.
“While denying… release of two Americans accused of espionage, the public relations of the judiciary announces that the request of the lawyer to post bail and free them is being studied by the case’s judge,” a statement posted on the judiciary website said.
“Any information in this regard will be issued by the judiciary and any information from other sources is not valid,” it added, alluding to tension between the executive and the judiciary.
Ahmadinejad told The Washington Post on Tuesday that Tehran would soon release Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, both 29, convicted of spying but who claimed to have accidentally strayed into the country, “in a couple of days so they will be able to return home.”
In a separate interview with US network NBC News, Ahmadinejad said the duo — whose jailing has further strained already difficult relations between Washington and Tehran — would be released “in two days.”
However, their lawyer Masoud Shafii told AFP on Wednesday that he was waiting for a judge to authorise the posting of bail for the two hikers.
“Nothing has changed since I was informed by the court (on Tuesday) of their decision to change the detention to posting bail of the 500,000 dollars,” Shafii said.
“There are two judges who have to sign the decision for me to start the process of actually posting bail. I am waiting for one of the judges who has still not signed … if he does not sign the decision by the end of the working day, 3:00 pm (1130 GMT) it will be postponed to Saturday,” the lawyer said.
“I have already informed the families and the Swiss embassy,” he added. The Swiss embassy deals with US-related affairs as Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic relations since the aftermath of the Islamic revolution of 1979.
Ahmadinejad’s comments drew an optimistic response from the families of the hikers, who were each sentenced to eight years in jail last month on charges of espionage and illegal entry.
“While we do not have further details at this time, we are overjoyed by the positive news reports from Iran,” said a statement issued by the families.
“Shane and Josh’s freedom means more to us than anything and it’s a huge relief to read that they are going to be released,” the statement said.
A guarded US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “We have followed this very closely and we are encouraged by what the Iranian government has said today.”
She added: “We obviously hope that we will see a positive outcome from what appears to be a decision by the government.”
London-based Amnesty International said Iran must free the two Americans immediately.
“The Iranian authorities must stop treating Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal as pawns both in their dealings with the US government and in domestic political rivalries,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“All available evidence and the authorities’ conduct throughout the trial strongly suggests that the Iranian authorities have known all along that these men were not spies,” Luther said.
“Rather, it appears they were probably held in order to try to gain political concessions from the USA.” he said in the statement.
Bauer and Fattal were arrested near the mountainous Iraq-Iran border on July 31, 2009, along with a third hiker, Sarah Shourd, 32, who was granted bail on humanitarian and medical grounds and allowed to leave Iran in September 2010.
Her bail, too, was set at $500,000 and was paid through Oman, a US Gulf ally that maintains relations with Iran.
While the government announced Shourd’s release at that time, the judiciary quickly denied it, only to free her on bail a few days later, after warning the executive branch not to interfere in the work of the judiciary.
The trio has consistently maintained that they innocently strayed across the unmarked border with Iran while hiking in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region.
The jailing of Bauer and Fattal sparked anger in Washington which already has deep differences with Tehran over its controversial nuclear program, its refusal to recognize Israel and its support for militant groups across the Middle East.

source: http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/35704

5 Christians Sentenced to Prison by the Iranian Government

HRANA News Agency – Last week, five Iranian Christians were sentenced to a total of 5 years in prison despite the fact that they were exonerated of all charges by a lower court. They were retried because the prosecutor had objected to the initial verdicts.
According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), the Appeals Court of Fars Province has handed down a one year prison term for Behroz Sadeq Khanjani, Mohammad Belyad, Nazli Kamarian, Parviz Khalaj and Mehdi Forotan.
Mathias Hagh-Nejad who was recently released on a bail approximately equivalent to $28,000 confirmed the verdicts against these individuals and said, “Additionally, I am waiting for my trial, and Mehrdad Gharoni, another Christian citizen, is locked up behind bars in the Intelligence Agency’s detention center in Esfahan. Yosef Nadarkhani will also be tried in Gilan’s Revolutionary Court, Branch 11, on September 25, 2011.
After the new verdicts were issued by the Appeals Court, these five Christian citizens were summoned to serve their prison terms.
Today, Christian Democratic Union in Germany released a letter written to Iranian Embassy to vehemently object to the incarceration of Yosef Nadarkhani and to ask for his immediate release. Yosef Nadarkhani is a Christian priest sentenced by Gilan’s Revolutionary Court to die on charges of apostasy.

http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/35699

picture of a female kurdish freedom fighter, and another proof that Turkish government is using Chemical attacks against Kurdish people and kurdish freedom fighters

picture of a female kurdish freedom fighter that was effected by the Turkish governments chemical attack on kurdish freedom fighters have been on facebook and shed a new light on the such claims.

one of those that shared the picture of kurdish female freedom fighter  body that have been burned by the turkish governments chemical attacks on kurdish freedom fighters of PKK said it is very scary to look at these pictures

publishing pictures like this created worries that why not the world organizations are not holding Turkish government responsible for such actions 

source : http://www.sharazurpost.org/news/kurdistannews/1002-2011-09-15-12-04-34.html?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page

translated by Aram-rk.blogspot.com

Kurdish ctivist Leyla Zana met with Iraqi president Jalal Talabani

Diyarbakır deputy Leyla Zana met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Talks reportedly dealt with the situation in Kurdistan and recent political developments in the region.

During the meeting, attended by some members of political bureaus of PUK, they discussed the latest political development in Kurdistan and in the region, reported Pukmedia. Talabani remarked that all clashes and problems should be solved through dialogue as this is not a period for ‘armed struggle and obtaining rights by extorting them with force’.

President Talabani shed light on the importance of political and parliament’s struggle to address the problems, saying that Kurd can benefit from this opportunity to gain their rights.

For her part, Layla Zana thanked President Jalal Talabani for his warm reception, praising his role in Iraqi political process.

source: http://en.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=article&nuceID=3041

Women’s rights activist Ms. Faranak Farid severely beaten by Iranian secret agents, in critical condition

Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) - According to reliable reports from Tabriz, women’s rights activist Faranak Farid has been severely beaten by plainclothes agents at the time of her arrest.
As a result of the beating, her arm has been severely injured and her left eardrum has been seriously damaged. She has allegedly lost her hearing in that ear. Additionally, due to the lack of medical care and medical facilities at Tabriz’s police detention center, her general health condition has deteriorated.
According to the reports, during the first days of her detention, Faranak Farid was interrogated for long hours by the Tabriz Ministry of Intelligence agents. Her charges were announced as, “Insulting the Supreme Leader”, “Propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime”, and “Acting against national security”.
Faranak Farid was secretary of the First Azerbaijan Women’s Congress on March 8, 2005. She was also the editor of the women’s section of the banned journal Dilmaj and editor of the special edition of this journal.
This researcher for Azerbaijan women’s issues was arrested on September 3rd during peaceful protest gatherings against the gradual drying of Lake Orumiyeh. The peaceful gathering turned violent following the interference of security forces in Tabriz and Orumiyeh.
- Translation by Davood Eftekhar
source: http://www.freedomessenger.com/archives/35026

Kurdistan regional Government president, president Barzani calls for US forces to stay in Iraq

(PNA) - The powerful leader of Iraq's Kurdish autonomous region is calling for American forces to stay in Iraq.

Massoud Barzani rules the three northern provinces that make up the Kurds' self-ruled region. He said during a televised speech Tuesday that if American troops leave sectarian violence might resurface.

Barzani said the central Iraqi government should sign an agreement with the U.S. to keep forces in the country.

The Kurds are strong American allies and have been widely believed to want some American forces to stay. But this is Barzani's first public statement on the issue.

All American forces are supposed to be out of Iraq by Dec. 31. But both Iraqi and U.S. officials say Iraq needs help protecting itself. 

source: http://www.peyamner.com/details.aspx?l=4&id=247528

Peace Mothers welcomed by Kurdistan parliament speaker

Erbil September 07 (PNA) - Kurdistan Parliament Speaker, Dr. Kamal Kirkuki has welcomed Peace Mothers yesterday in Erbil. Peace Mothers visited Dr. Kamal Kirkuki in his office, gave emphasize on the importance of peace- maintenance in current situation. They also declared that bombardment and attacks cannot be a solution, but only peace must be desired by all. Peace Mothers concluded by giving their thanks to Kurdistan region for their diplomatic and peaceful efforts, called for continuality. For his part, Dr.Kirkuki has welcomed Peace Mothers, stressed on the important roles peace-demanded mothers and women have had in Kurdistan through history.  He also mentioned the recent diplomatic efforts done by Kurdish President and Kurdistan regional government; insist that only peaceful ways can solve the problems.  source: http://www.peyamner.com/details.aspx?l=4&id=247264

Video of Kurds being killed by the iranian government in kurdish city of Sardasht

Isreal to help PKK against Turkey

(PNA) - In a fight back from Jerusalem, several moves were formulated by Israel Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman in response to “anti-Israel” moves by Turkish government, ynetnews reported today.  Israel decided on the implementation of several anti-Turkish moves in order to punish Turkey

.

One of the moves formulated by Israel foreign minister is to help Kurdish guerrillas (PKK) in their long-term fight against Ankara’s government.

In this case, Israel might say yes to Kurdish guerrilla’s possible demand on military training and supplying.

Among other moves, cooperation with Armenian against Turkey was discussed; it also has been said that Israel foreign minister will meet Armenian lobbies in U.S, helps them to get international recognition of the Armenian holocaust.  

“Erdogan anti-Israel moves are not one-way street”, Lieberman said.

“We’ll exact a price from Erdogan that will prove to him that messing with Israel doesn’t pay off…Turkey better treat us with respect and common decency”, he stated.

The anti-Turkish moves issued by Avigdor Lieberman had come after the withdrawal of Israeli diplomat by Turkish Prime Minister Receb Tayyip Erdogan, a move that threatened Jerusalem’s diplomatic ties with Ankara.

By Arina Moradi

source: http://www.peyamner.com/details.aspx?l=4&id=247421