(12-10) Ms Ashtiani/Sajjad NOT released
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Mina Ahadi
Dec 9, 2010
Ms Ahadi’s (ICAS/ICAE/Save Sakineh Campaign) response to Ms Ashtiani’s “release” follows.
Ms Ashtiani’s case was brought to Ms Ahadi’s attention by Sajjad, who was willing to risk his life for his mother’s. Who knows how badly he was tortured.
Mother Sakineh, son Sajjad (more pix)
(ICAE)
Mentions the German journalists but says nothing about Ms Ashtiani’s lawyer, Houtan Kian, who was arrested at the same time. Still can’t find anything about him.
MS AHADI: This is the happiest day in my life. I’m very happy for her son, Sajad, who fought single-handedly and bravely in Iran to defend his mother and tell the world that she is innocent. I’m sure that this day will be written in Iranian history books, if not the world’s, as a day of victory for human rights campaigners.
MS AHADI: The news of the release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, her son Sajad Ghaderzadeh and the two German journalists is heartwarming for the International Committees against Stoning and Execution and for all those who fought for Sakineh’s freedom.
There are no words to express our joy. The thought that she can embrace her children in the safety of her own home and sleep soundly tonight is wonderful.
This is a historical success for humanity. It shows, when millions stand together, they can save precious lives and stop the unthinkable.
On behalf of the International Committee against Stoning and Execution I thank each and everyone of you.
Sakineh’s freedom must be the beginning of the end of stoning in Iran and everywhere.
Mina Ahadi
Spokesperson
International Committee Against Executions
International Committee Against Stoning
ICAE UPDATED WITH THIS:
Don’t know the sources.
ICAS UPDATED WITH THIS:
ICAS has received reports of the release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and her son Sajjad Ghaderzadeh. If the news is accurate, Mina Ahadi sends the following greetings. However, ICAS is still awaiting confirmation of the report from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran Human Rights statement to UK Channel 4:
We are very glad to hear that Sakineh Ashtiani is released, although we are not sure whether the charges against her are removed or not and whether the release is permanent.
Why the world needs to spread the word that Ms Ashtiani was released so it would be impossible for them to return her to prison.
1850: Guardian is reporting on an alleged confession by Ms Ashtiani to go along with the pix released by Iran propaganda TV.
Confusion surrounded the fate of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the woman whose sentence of death by stoning for adultery triggered an international outcry, after photographs of her meeting her son at home were released by Iran‘s English channel television tonight.
Pictures from state-run Press TV showed her meeting Sajad at home in Osku in northwestern Iran, boosting supporters’ hopes that she had been released.
But footage of Ashtiani broadcast by the station later raised questions about whether she had actually been released from prison, or whether Iranian authorities had merely taken her to her home to collect evidence against her and film a confession.
In a short clip she is seen to say: “We planned to kill my husband.”
Would have been nice if they mentioned whether Ms Ashtiani’s face was pixilated on the video.
Still no confirmation of Sajjad and his mother’s release. The photos released go along with a Propaganda TV video in which Ms Ashtiani allegedly confesses YET AGAIN IN ANOTHER FORCED TV APPEARANCE to involvement in her husband’s murder – a crime she was cleared of and the murderer caught and pardoned by Sajjad. There is no way Iran is going to get away with it – even if they stole all the police reports and case file. But it does explain why nothing was said about Ms Ashtiani layer Houtan Kian. Iran seems to have forgotten that the reason Ms Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning was because they couldn’t find her guilty in her husband’s murder – a fact the entire world is aware of. A fact that is never going to change.
