I never feared death. Even now, as I feel its odd and honest presence next to me, I still want to smell its aroma and rediscover it; Death, who has been the most ancient companion of this land. I don’t want to talk about death; I want to question the reasons behind it. Today, when punishment is the answer for those who seek freedom and justice, how can one fear his fate? Those of “us” who have been sentenced to death by “them” are only guilty of seeking an opening to a better and fair world. Are “they” also aware of their deeds?
Ehsan Fattahian was executed today morning by the Islamic Republic...
The New York Times confirmed the execution this morning:
Iran hanged a Kurdish activist on Wednesday morning in a prison in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, his lawyer said.
The activist, Ehsan Fattahian, 28, had been sentenced to death after he was accused of “armed struggle against the regime.”
He was arrested more than a year ago in the Kurdish city of Kamyaran and received a 10-year prison term. But in an unusual move, an appeals court changed his sentence to death by hanging after the prosecutor general of Kamyaran demanded a tougher punishment against him.
Iran Executes Kurdish Activist
He was convicted of belonging to an organization that used violence to further its aims, but had not been convicted of participating in any violent actions.
The NYT article goes on to point out that there are thirteen other Kurds on death row in Iran. It offered no indication as to who among them was actually guilty of violent acts.
In the letter, which was reprinted in its entirety at the first link above, he said that just before his sentence he had been taken to "the Intelligence Ministry’s detention center" to make a confession. He refused. A few days later, he apparently was executed.
Thanks to any readers who signed the petition.
I hope that the other two political prisoners who have been sentenced can be saved, but I figure if they'll do this to one young man, they'll do it to others.
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