Amir Raisian: "The Evidence Against Pakhshan Azizi is Invalid"
05/12/2024 - Human Rights
Amir Raisian, one of Pakhshan Azizi's lawyers, has stated that the "evidence and documentation" against this political prisoner sentenced to death are "invalid." Pakhshan Azizi, a social worker and civil activist, has been sentenced to death on charges of "rebellion" and alleged membership in groups engaging in armed uprising against the Islamic Republic. However, her lawyer, Amir Raisian, has dismissed these accusations as baseless and emphasized that evidence of her humanitarian activities in refugee camps during the ISIS war has been submitted to the Supreme Court. Azizi has been helping war refugees in the Rojava region of Syria since 2015, with no evidence linking her to armed operations. This sentence was issued by a court presided over by Judge Iman Afshari without granting the defendant her basic rights, including access to a lawyer and the opportunity for adequate defense. Azizi was reportedly subjected to torture and coerced confessions during her detention. The judicial process has been condemned by 26 human rights organizations, which have called for the immediate revocation of her death sentence and her release. These organizations see the ruling as part of the crackdown on the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising. Background on Pakhshan Azizi Pakhshan Azizi, a social worker and civil activist, was arrested in July 2023 at her home by security forces. Her arrest was violent, and she was held in harsh conditions from the outset, including months of solitary confinement without access to legal counsel or family contact. During her detention, she was subjected to torture and coerced confessions. The charges against her include "rebellion" for alleged membership in opposition groups. Tehran's Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to death, primarily based on her presence in Syrian Kurdistan. Since 2015, she had been assisting war refugees from ISIS and had no connection to armed activities. Key Points: 1. Humanitarian Activities: Her lawyer, Amir Raisian, has submitted evidence proving that Azizi engaged in social work in refugee camps and had no involvement in armed activities. 2. Deprivation of Fundamental Rights: Azizi was denied her basic rights during her detention and trial. Her confessions, extracted under duress, are invalid and lack credibility. 3. Domestic and International Reactions: Human Rights Organizations: 26 human rights organizations have condemned the death sentence and demanded its immediate revocation. They view her case as part of the suppression of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. Family and Fellow Prisoners: Azizi's family and former cellmates have repeatedly called for the suspension of her sentence, emphasizing the lack of evidence of any violent actions on her part. Current Status Her case has been referred to the Supreme Court for appeal. However, her lawyers have expressed concerns about a rushed review and the potential for the sentence to be upheld. Numerous urgent appeals have been made to international bodies for immediate action.
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