Iranian Lawyer For Woman To Be Stoned Arrested In Turkey

Iran continues to rise, in my estimation, to the top of the list of worst countries to live in. Of course, nothing compares to Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia, in terms of lack of freedoms, but what kind of country would hunt and track down a lawyer simply for doing his job? Arrest with absolutely no justification family members including his wife, a brother-in-law, father-in-law simply because he was doing his job? Unfortunately for Mohammad Mostafaei, the lawyer who was representing Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani (the woman sentenced to be executed by stoning for a trumped up adultery charge) his job made him and his family targets. Of course, anyone trying to get justice in an unjust country that has no respect for human rights, let alone women's rights, is subject to tyranny as well.

moustafaei 4q3zW 16105

For who knows what reason (only the sick little minds of Ahmadinejad and the Mullah's know) Mostafaei's three family members were apprehended and there was a warrant for his arrest, as well. So, before they could arrest him, he managed to escape. His in-laws were released, but they kept his wife who has been detained without being charged. She is languishing in Evin prison in solitary confinement, for no reason.

Mostafaei was able to flee the country- smuggled into Turkey, but was arrested there, by Turkish authorities, for immigration charges. One would think that Turkey, a more moderate, secular Islamic country would be a safe choice, but obviously not.

Human rights activists expressed concern for Mostafaei's safety and the possibility that Turkey, an ally of Iran, might return him. "He was treated very poorly by the Turkish police and was threatened that they might send him back to Iran," said Shadi Sadr, an Iranian human rights activist who spoke with Mostafaei by phone today. Mostafaei was concerned about his seven-year-old daughter who is with his wife's family in Iran.

The Guardian understands Norwegian and US officials met Mostafaei in prison and offered him asylum, but he was forced by Turkish officials to claim asylum with the UNHCR in Turkey or face extradition.

Amnesty International also expressed concern for his safety. Drewery Dyke of Amnesty's Iran team said: "We call upon the authorities to expedite Mostafaei's asylum request as he had a death threat in Turkey and is a target of the Iranian officials because of his involvement with Mohammadi Ashtiani's case."

"The Turkish government is in close co-operation with other authorities to grant him asylum as soon as possible," said Orhan Tung, a Turkish embassy spokesman in London. The embassy said the foreign ministry would not comment on concerns over Mostafaei's safety. Mohammadi Ashtiani's son Sajad had expressed hope that Turkey would join Brazil in raising the issue with Iran.

At least, they are considering the possibility of allowing other countries to give him asylum, but what about his wife? Will the Iranians allow her to join him? I tend to doubt it, given their lack of mercy.

And what about Ashtiani? They stayed her sentence of stoning, but they could still hang her, in spite of Brazil's offer to grant her asylum. She has a new lawyer, Houtan Kian, but what will happen to him when all is said and done? Will he be the next one to be arrested? And what's the point in even giving these people lawyers, since they wind up killing them anyway. Which, sadly, is probably what's going to happen to Ashtiani.