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British Police Try to Arrest Plaintiff Against Khatami

Potkin Azarmehr | 02.11.2006 14:46 | Indymedia | Repression | Social Struggles | London

British police try to arrest one of the two Iranian refugees who applied to have Khatami arrested under Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1998.

British police today tried to arrest Safa Einollahi as soon as he arrived to join other protesters against Khatami outside Chatham House, but other protesters fought with the police and prevented them from taking Safa away.

Safa is one of the two Iranian refugees who had applied to the Met Police to have Khatami arrested under Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1998. This Act requires the arrest of any individual, regardless of nationality, where there is evidence that they committed, condoned or colluded with acts of torture. The legislation has a universal jurisdiction, and therefore covers torture committed by Iranians against Iranians in Iran. Section 134, which incorporates the UN Convention Against Torture 1984 into UK law, also holds high state officials responsible if they fail to stop torture.

Safa was arrested and detained in 1999 during the student protests in Iran. During his arrest, Safa was raped by bottle on two occasions. As a result of such inhumane acts, Safa suffers from long term physical and pscychological injuries.

In a more sinister move, the Metroplitan police also entered Safa's house last night and interrogated him. Asking him questions like "What other friends do you have in Britain who were previously detained in Iran."

Sue Wilkinson from the Metropolitan Police, yesterday replied to the application made by Sabi & Associates lawyers who were acting on behalf of the two Iranian refugees and refused to issue an arrest warrant saying there was insufficient evidence that Khatami personally committed such acts of torture or ordered them to be conducted.

Khatami has not attempted any dialogue with the two refugees who suffered such horrific treatments during his presidency, while on his UK tour.

 http://azarmehr.blogspot.com/2006/11/british-police-try-to-arrest-plaintiff.html

Potkin Azarmehr
- e-mail: potkazar@yahoo.com
- Homepage: http://azarmehr.blogspot.com


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