Delara's Ex Boyfriend Withdraws his Objection to His Sentence to Escape Being Proven the Murderer

Amir-Hussain, Delara's ex boyfriend who talked her into accepting responsibility for the murder that he had committed, has withdrawan his legal objection to the charges against him, as well as the sentence that he received for having been found guilty of being Delara's "accomplice" in Mahin's murder.

On Sunday, June 10, 2007, Delara's lawyer, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi, contacted human rights lawyer, Lily Mazahery, who is spearheading the internatonal effort to save Delara from exectuion, to inform her that Amir-Hussain's defense lawyer had withdrawn his objection and had announced that his client has accepted the entirety of his sentence. Accordingly, Amir-Hussain, without objection to the validity of the charges against him, has been condemned to 13 years imprisonment and flogging.

Ms. Mazahery explained that while this has no direct bearing on Delara's case, it does demonstrate that Amir-Hussain did not want to risk an examination of the evidence in the case because such an evaluation would have shown that he was the one who delivered the fatal stabs to Mahin, not Delara. So, in order to prevent such a showing, Amir-Hussain chose to shut up and accept the 13 year prison sentence that he had received, and let Delara be punished for his crime instead.

Mazahery explains: "Amir-Hussain's withdrawal of his objection does not have any impact on Delara's own request for a new trial. Delara's lawyer remains hopeful that Iran's head of judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi, will prevent the execution of his client without a trial where evidence is properly examined and evaluated."

Here's the link to the original report.

Here is the transcript of Mr. Khoramshahi's discussion with the SaveDelara campaign about this latest development:

Mino Hemati: Mr. Khoramshahi, hello. With respect to Amir-Hussain's withdrawal of his objection to his sentence, I want to know what impact this has on Delara.

Abdolsamad Khoramshahi: It doesn’t have any impact on Delara. However, it sheds light on my argument that he was the murderer, and to escape the punishment of execution, he is willing to stay in prison without any objections for 10 years. His crime of murder was apparent, but he came and accepted the punishment [that he has been given] in order to avoid the punishment of execution.

MH: I want to know whether this has any impact on your request to re-examine the case. Is that possible?

AK: No, no. This has no impact. They have set that aside. But this is for public opinion. A person who claimed he had committed no wrong, a person whose attorney claimed had no role [in the murder of Mahin], how could he now come and accept his sentence? Do you understand?

MH: Yes. Is this to Delara’s benefit?

AK: Yes. This, in public opinion, in public’s perception, is representative of our contentions and Delara’s claims. His attorney used to say he had no role whatsoever [in Mahin’s murder]. If he didn’t have any role whatsoever, how is it that he now comes and accepts his sentence and is willing to be in prison for 10 years?! Why did he go back and withdraw his objection?

. . . .

MH: Now what does this do?

AK: This has an impact on public opinion. Why would a person who claimed he had done no wrong take back his objection? This shows that he is the murderer. This is for our conscience, for your views, as this issue has truly been clarified. But from the larger perspective, no, [this has no impact on Delara’s case] because Amir-Hussain’s case is no longer before Mr. Shahroudi.
MH: Oh, Amir-Hussain’s case is not before Shahroudi. Is it?

AK: No, because he withdrew his objection and stated that he is willing to endure prison and that sort of thing.

MH: So what happens to Delara?

AK: Nothing. The case is now in Mr. Shahroudi’s office and they must examine it and see what will happen.

MH: So from a public opinion stand point, this is a positive thing for your argument and for your proof.

AK: Yes.

You can find the entire transcript here

Delara Darabi's lawyer files a plea to stop her execution

Yesterday, Delara's lawyer, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi filed a plea with Iran's head of judiciary, Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi, asking him to grant a stay of execution in Delara's case.

Apparently, these pleas have worked for some others in the past, including Kobra Rahmanpour. So we are hoping that the signatures on the petition, but more importantly the direct letters to the head of the judiciary, will continue to accumulate. We should put as much pressure on Shahroudi as possible so he respondes positively to Khoramshahi's plea.

If you guys have not already seen Delara's paintings, btw, I highly recommond them. Here is the link: http://www.savedelara.com/Delara_Paintings.html . It would be an absolute crime if this talented and gifted girl hangs. She has so much to offer this world. So let's make sure she goes on to live a productive and peaceful life.

The Mullahs Approve Delara Darabi's Death Sentence

Approval of Delara's Death Sentence in Distinction Branch of the Supreme Court

Sources familiar with Delara's case report that Delara's death sentence has been approved and the order will be soon issued to her lawyer.

Delara Darabi, accused of murder, has spent the past 3 years in prison. Recent beatings in prison have left her with a broken arm and she is not feeling well.

Yesterday, Delara's father filed a letter with the head of the judiciary, seeking a transfer of prison for his daughter. In this letter, Delara's father states: "Delara is in dire condition and is suffering greatly. She is only accused. We have reasons to show that she is not a murderer. However, even if she were guilty, she has a basic right to be treated fairly in prison, not to have her arm broken. If Delara is a murderer, she should be executed once, not a thousand times. Yet, in Rasht prison, she is executed a thousand times a day. I need your help to save my daughter."

In an discussion with Mino Hemati of Rahai-Zan TV, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi, Delara's defense counsel stated today that his objection to Distinction Branch's decision was rejected today. Accordingly, the only person who can commute this sentence is the head of the judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi. By finding fault in the case, he can issue a new trial or commute Delara's death sentence.

Click HERE to view report in Farsi.

Please take immediate action to prevent the execution of Delara Darabi. The following are a few things that you can do:

1. Sign the petition objecting to the impending execution of Delara Darabi and encourage your friends, colleagues, associates, and family members to do the same.

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

2. Contact the office of Ayatollah Shahroudi by fax or mail to voice your objection:
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice,
Panzdah-Khordad Circle,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

(From United States, dial 0 first)
Phone: 98 (21) 391-1109
Fax: 98 (21) 390-4986

You can also send your appeals electronically via the judiciary website:
http://iranjudiciary.org

Note: The fields are written in Persian. 1st line is for your Name; 2nd your Email; 3rd the Subject (which should read "URGENT LETTER TO AYATOLLAH HASHEMI SHAHROUDI REGARDING DELARA DARABI"); 4th is for your Comments.

Inquiries: info@SaveDelara.com. For more information, visit: http://www.savedelara.com/

Related Information:

Amnesty International Urgent Action Appeal for Delara Darabi: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE130012006?open&of=ENG-392

Mino Hemati interview with Delara's lawyer: http://www.savedelara.com/subpage.html

Petition objecting to Delara's execution: http://www.petitiononline.com/DL2222/petition.html