Rights Group Denounces Iran 'Execution Binge'; More on Stuxnet

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Iran Suspends Sentence to Hang Woman in Stoning Case

Reuters | Jan 17

Iran has suspended a sentence to hang a woman at the center of a global outcry about stoning, a member of parliament was quoted as saying on Monday.

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani's sentence to be stoned for adultery was suspended last year after condemnation from several governments, but she had still faced death by hanging for being an accomplice in her husband's murder.

In a letter to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, the head of parliament's human rights committee, Zohre Elahian, said the hanging, too, had been suspended due to pleas from her children.

"Although the stoning sentence has not been finalised yet, the hanging sentence has been suspended due to (her children's) pardon," the letter said, according to student news agency ISNA.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered Ashtiani asylum in July, prompting an embarrassing public rejection by Iran which said he was a "humane and sensitive character" but was not in possession of all the facts.

THE LEAD

Iran on "Execution Binge;" Immediate Moratorium Urged

Statement by International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (ICHRI) | Jan 16

On Average, One Person Executed Every Eight Hours in 2011

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran called on the Iranian Parliament and the Judiciary to immediately institute a moratorium on executions and to move swiftly to abolish the death penalty, in the face of skyrocketing executions following unfair trials and opaque judicial proceedings.

Since the beginning of the New Year, Iran has hanged 47 prisoners, or an average of about one person every eight hours. Iran executes more people per capita than any other country, and in absolute numbers, is second only to China.

On Saturday, 15 January 2011, Iran hanged a Kurdish prisoner some Iranian websites have identified as Hossein Khazri.

In addition to the execution of Khazri, Iranian media have reported a total of 46 executions in 2011: seven in Kermanshah on 1 January, sixteen in Ahwaz on 5 January, one in Asfaryan on 8 January, eight in Qom on 9 January, seven in Tehran on 12 January, five in Khorramabad on 13 January, two in Boroujerd on 14 January.

Political Prisoner Hossein Khezri Executed

RAHANA | Jan 15

Political prisoner Hossein Khezri has been hanged in Oroumiyeh Prison this morning.

The sentence has been carried out while various news agencies had stated that he was going to be executed soon. Khezri had been held in prison limbo and his family was concerned about his condition.

According to RAHANA, his sentence has been carried out in the Oroumiyeh Prison.

Khezri was detained on August 1, 2008 in Kermanshah by the IRGC officials and was interrogated until mid February. He was then transferred to Oroumiyeh and his only court session was held in the Oroumiyeh Revolutionary Court. His trial lasted 10 minutes and he was charged with anti-regime propaganda and collaborating with anti-regime groups.

Israel Tests on Worm Called Crucial in Iran Nuclear Delay

New York Times | Jan 15

The Dimona complex in the Negev desert is famous as the heavily guarded heart of Israel's never-acknowledged nuclear arms program, where neat rows of factories make atomic fuel for the arsenal.

Over the past two years, according to intelligence and military experts familiar with its operations, Dimona has taken on a new, equally secret role -- as a critical testing ground in a joint American and Israeli effort to undermine Iran's efforts to make a bomb of its own.

Behind Dimona's barbed wire, the experts say, Israel has spun nuclear centrifuges virtually identical to Iran's at Natanz, where Iranian scientists are struggling to enrich uranium. They say Dimona tested the effectiveness of the Stuxnet computer worm, a destructive program that appears to have wiped out roughly a fifth of Iran's nuclear centrifuges and helped delay, though not destroy, Tehran's ability to make its first nuclear arms.

Russia Warns of 'Iranian Chernobyl'

Telegraph | Jan 16

Russian nuclear scientists are providing technical assistance to Iran's attempts activate the country's first nuclear power plant at the Gulf port.

But they have raised serious concerns about the extensive damage caused to the plant's computer systems by the mysterious Stuxnet virus, which was discovered last year and is widely believed to have been the result of a sophisticated joint US-Israeli cyber attack. According to Western intelligence reports, Russian scientists warned the Kremlin that they could be facing "another Chernobyl" if they were forced to comply with Iran's tight deadline to activate the complex this summer.

After decades of delays over the plant, which was first commissioned by the Shah in the 1970s, Iran's leaders are demanding that scientists stick to the schedule set last year. They argue that any delay would be a blow to Iran's international prestige.

However, Russian scientists working at the plant have become so concerned by Iran's apparent disregard for nuclear safety issues that they have lobbied the Kremlin directly to postpone activation until at least the end of the year, so that a proper assessment can be made of the damage caused to its computer operations by Stuxnet.

Defiant Iran Says Enriching Uranium 'Strongly'

AFP | Jan 15

A defiant Iran said on Saturday its controversial uranium enrichment programme was progressing "very strongly," as it opened the doors of two of its nuclear sites to foreign diplomats.

The declaration by foreign minister and atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi came just days ahead of a high-profile meeting between Tehran and six world powers over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.

"Our nuclear activities are going forward strongly. Our activities, especially in (uranium) enrichment, are also continuing very strongly.... The production of enriched uranium is growing."

Iran currently has around 3,200 kilogrammes (7,000 pounds) of uranium enriched to 3.5 percent level, and nearly 40 kilogrammes of the material refined to 20 percent level.

OTHER NEWS

IAEA Envoys Visit Iran's Natanz Enrichment Site: Report

Reuters | Jan 16 | photos

Iran showed its Natanz uranium enrichment plant to a group of U.N. nuclear watchdog ambassadors as a sign of transparency over its nuclear activities, state television reported Sunday.

Envoys from mainly non-aligned developing nations were on the tour. Counterparts from the West, Russia and China were either not invited or rejected Iran's gesture, with some saying such visits were the province of U.N. inspectors and could not replace talks to resolve a stand-off over Iran's nuclear work.

Iran Searching for Nuclear Bomb Materials: Cables

Reuters | Jan 16

Iran has been developing contacts in more than 30 countries to acquire technology, equipment and raw materials needed to build a nuclear bomb, a Norwegian newspaper said on Sunday, citing U.S. diplomatic cables.

Aftenposten said that according to the cables, obtained by WikiLeaks, more than 350 Iranian companies and organizations were involved in the pursuit of nuclear and missile technology between 2006 and 2010.

Iran says its nuclear program has purely peaceful aims but the West suspects [it] is designed to develop a weapons capability.

"For years, Iran has been working systematically to acquire the parts, equipment and technology needed for developing such weapons, in violation of U.N. sanctions against the country's nuclear and missile program," Aftenposten said.

Thousands of Iranians Join Online Protest against Sanctions

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | Jan 16

About 25,000 Iranians have reacted to last week's crash of Iran Air flight 277 by joining an online protest against sanctions that prevent Iran from purchasing new aircraft and spare parts.

The protesters believe sanctions undermine aviation safety standards and are therefore to be blamed for a string of air accidents that have claimed the lives of hundreds of Iranians.

The Facebook protest titled "Stop sanctions against selling passenger airplanes to Iran" blames the sanctions for the death of hundreds of Iranians who have lost their lives in air crashes in the Islamic Republic in recent years.

"Stop the sanctions against innocent people. Let people fly safely," says the page that includes messages in Persian and English, from Iranians living inside and outside the country who have joined the protest.

See also: "Flying Safely Is a Human Right" (Tehran Bureau)

Iran to Ban Flights of Russian-Built Tupolev Jets

Reuters | Jan 15

Iran will ban flights by all its Tupolev aircraft from February following a series of disasters involving Russian-built jets in the Islamic state, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.

Iranian airlines have been dogged by accidents in recent years, prompting calls for a revamp of the country's aging air fleet which also includes many U.S.-built Boeings acquired before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Reza Nakhjavani, head of the Civil Aviation Organization, ordered four Iranian airlines to stop flying Tupolev-154s from February 20 due to past crashes and the expiry of airworthiness documents.

"Using Tupolev-154 planes is forbidden because of the recent air incidents and the expiry of the service date of this type of aircraft on February 19," Nakhjavani said in a letter.

Iran Fuel Ban Targets NATO but Hurts Afghans

AFP | Jan 16

Iran's ban on fuel tankers crossing into Afghanistan over accusations that they are supplying NATO troops is snaring ordinary Afghans in a complex power game as living costs rise, experts say.

Behind it all is Iran's desire to strike out at the international community over its disputed nuclear weapons programme and at Afghanistan over efforts to make peace with the Taliban, according to some analysts.

NATO insists it does not use fuel which passes through Iran and that the operations of its troops in Afghanistan are not being affected.

But that is cold comfort to ordinary Afghans who, with the first snows of winter recently falling in the capital Kabul, face paying 40 percent more for fuel, plus extra for other day-to-day essentials.

Cyber-Police to Confront Modern Crimes

Iran Daily | Jan 16

Iran has formed a cyber-police unit to confront "modern crimes" which include online activities by opposition groups.

ISNA quoted deputy police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, as saying that "as traditional crimes have become modernized, there is the need for forming modern units for confronting such crimes as well."

He also said, "In the post-election unrests in 2009 the rioters availed themselves of the web, so there is also the necessity to confront these offenders and prevent any misuse."
Radan was referring to protests following the 2009 presidential election, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud.

The web and especially social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter were at that time used by opposition leaders, dissidents and protestors inside and outside Iran for coordinating the protests and exchanging information.

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Hearts and Minds Lost in Iran over US Renaming the Persian Gulf

Afshin Shahi (openDemocracy) | Jan 14

The decision of the US Navy to rename the Persian Gulf as the "Arabian Gulf" might seem to be a mere renaming of a waterway, but it will have serious implications for the American battle for the hearts and minds of Iranians.

Despite the obvious animosity between the United States and Iran, the image of America in Iran is not entirely black and white. Although anti-Americanism is a defining element of the state ideology, the Iranian people are perceived to be much more congenial towards the United States. Although these paradoxes between state and society have been repeatedly elaborated by observers, It is important to re-highlight the matter to contextualise the American position in Iran. A few years ago, Abbas Abdi who played an active role in the Iran Hostage Crisis, conducted a poll asking Iranians whether they would support resuming a dialogue with the United States. The results suggested that 74.4% of those asked preferred reestablishment of relations with a country that their leaders had dubbed the Great Satan.

However, lately there have been repercussions from the Iranian civil society regarding the US Navy's decision to call the Persian Gulf the "Arabian Gulf" in their press releases. Thousands of people both within and outside Iran have campaigned and expressed their frustration and utter disappointment with the United States on this issue. As a result to many Iranians the US government is responsible for sabotaging the importance of Iranian history and heritage. At a time when the bilateral relationship is burdened, the US is actively undermining its own image among the Iranian people. This can narrow the gap between the state ideology and the perspective of the grassroots about the United States in Iran.

DOCUMENTS & DECLARATIONS

The Iranian Regime Executed Hossein Khezri in Secret

Report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA via Persian2English) | Jan 15

28 year old Hossein Khezri, an Iranian Kurdish political activist was hanged this morning in Orumiyeh central prison. According to reports by HRANA, on January 2, 2011, a team was sent from Tehran to Orumiyeh central prison to perform Khezri's execution over night. However, due to unknown reasons, prison officials decided to postpone the implementation of the sentence.

Hossein Khezri was born in 1983 and sentenced to death by branch 1 of the Orumiyeh Revolutionary Court under the charge of acting against national security. His sentence was later upheld by branch 10 of the Appeals Court in the Western Azerbaijan province and then by branch 31 of the Supreme Court.

Khezri was transferred to solitary confinement in Orumiyeh central prison sixteen days ago. After several inquiries by his family, Khezri was allowed to meet with his brother for the last time, then he was transferred back to solitary confinement.

Although Khezri was executed early this morning in Orumiyeh prison, his family and lawyers were unaware that he had been secretly executed.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported in a news program that Khezri had been charged with "participation in the armed killing of a police officer at the outpost in Gol Sheykhan in Orumiyeh in 2005″.

It is worth mentioning that Khezri had denied all charges against him. During one of the visitations with his family, Khezri informed them of the fact that Intelligence agents had tried to force him to falsely confess on state television. In a conversation that took place last night, Khezri's brother told HRANA that it is highly likely that his brother will be executed secretly. Authorities had failed to provide his family with exact information on Khezri's condition since he was transferred out of the ward [he was held in].

Hossein Khezri was arrested in Kermanshah on July 31, 2008 by the Nabi Akram Sepah branch. He suffered inhuman and despicable physical and psychological torture while under interrogation for 49 days in the Kermanshah detention center.

In a letter given to HRANA, Khezri described the abuses he endured during interrogation:

1. He was beaten for several hours a day

2. He endured psychological and physical pressure during interrogations

3. He was threatened during interrogations that his brother and brother-in-law would also be charged with illegal activities if he did not accept the terms of the interrogators.

4. He experienced bleeding and swelling in various parts of the body as a result of being kicked repeatedly over a period of 14 days.

5. He experienced 8cm laceration in the right leg as a result of being kicked viciously by an interrogator.

6. He endured repeated beatings by batons.