A Juvenile Offender Executed in Iran, Another at Risk

MDE 13/105/2009 (html here, text file (.rtf) here)

The Iranian male Behnoud Shojaee, aged 21, was executed in Evin prison, Tehran, on 11 October, for a murder he was found guilty of committing committed when he was 17. He had no legal representation at his initial trial.

Safar Angooti was convicted of murder when he was 17, and he was sentenced to death. The authorities have told his lawyer that he will be executed on 21 October, but he may be executed on 19 October.

Executions of those under 18 at the time of their offence is strictly prohibited under international law.

Please send appeals immediately, and before the 19th of October (possible day of the execution), to:

Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/81/Default.aspx
First starred box: your given name;
second starred box: your family name;
third: your email address
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Head of Tehran Judiciary
Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue,
Corner of Ally 17, No 152,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir
(Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei)

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying)
Email: fsharafi@bia-judiciary.ir or int_aff@judiciary.ir (Both these failed permanently for me.)

Also send copies to the Iranian foreign mission closest to you.

My letter below:

Head of Tehran Judiciary
Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue,
Corner of Ally 17, No 152,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir


Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA

RE: The execution of Behnoud Shojaee and the planned execution of Safar Angooti

Dear Mr Avaei,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a
PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I am writing to condemn the execution of Behnoud Shojaee. His execution is a gross
violation of international law as he was under 18 at the time of the crime he had been
sentenced for.

I would also urge the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of Safar Angooti so that his case can be reviewed urgently with a view to overturning his death sentence.

I would respectfully remind the Iranian authorities that Iran is a state party to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC), both of which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik