A journalist and civil activist in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran has been condemned to death. Yaghoub Mehrnahad is a journalist and the secretary of Javanan Sedaye Edalat (Youth, the Voice of Justice) NGO.
About 10 months ago, after holding a conference called "Youths question, Officials reply", he was arrested together with other members of the NGO and later condemned to death.
According to Meghdad Barimani, the former secretary of the Islamic Society of Sistan and Baluchestan University, the Javanan Sedaye Edalat society is one of the most active of the NGOs in the whole province and has been active regarding various issues, including the fight against diseases like AIDS, hepatitis and disease prevention for the children and women of the area.
None of these activities could be considered a crime, let alone needing the death penalty! No precise information or documented reasons have been presented on Yaghoub Mehrnahad's "crimes" - but it has been rumoured that he has been co-operating with "obstinate" groups.
During Yaghoub Mehrnahad's trial neither he, nor his family, nor his lawyer, nor a jury were present!
Sistan and Baluchestan has experienced a great deal of unrest during the past two years, including terrorist attacks.
Iranian Workers' Solidarity Network will be trying to establish further facts about Yaghoub Mehrnahad's case and will act to put pressure on the Iranian regime for his immediate and unconditional release.
13 February 2008