Human Rights Defender Detained in Iran

Human Rights Defender Detained in Iran
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Iranian regime’s arrest of Emadeddin Baghi, head of the Organizationfor the Defense of Prisoners Rights, demonstrates its disregard for Iranian citizens campaigning for their basic rights. The regime accuses him of being a threat to national security for condemning its ongoing mistreatment of prisoners. Baghi has already served time in Iran’s prisons and been subject to travel bans all for drawing attention to the recent increase in executions in Iran, and for calling for humane treatment of prisoners. His work to protect the rights of others should be lauded not condemned.

We stand with those defending the rights of the Iranian people and call upon the Government of Iran to treat its prisoners humanely and release Baghi and other human rights activists, including Mansour Osanloo and Mohammed Salehi, immediately.

From a DoS Press Statement - Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman

Six Secret Cell Terrorists Detained

Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists Friday morning during raids in northeast Baghdad.

The individuals targeted during the raids are suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

Coalition Forces found improvised explosive device materials and detained six individuals, including two who tested positive for explosives residue. Another two of the six suspects are believed to be key leaders in the secret cell terrorist network.

Intelligence reports indicate one suspected secret cell key leader is responsible for the planning and coordinating of numerous murders, kidnappings, assassinations and attacks on Iraqi civilians and Coalition Forces as well as involvement in IED attacks on Coalition Forces. The other suspected leader is an explosives expert and weapons dealer.

One Iraqi civilian received minor injuries during the course of the operations, and he received medical attention on the scene from Coalition Forces.

“Coalition Forces are targeting the terrorists, searching them out in the places they hide,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “This morning’s operation is one more step in removing the terrorist networks from Iraq.”

(Taken from press release #A070518a by Multi-National Force-Iraq - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)