Canceling Death Sentence is Assessed as Contradiction of Koran: Iranian Law Observer

TREND NEWS AGENCY 28.08.2007 15:43:15
Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend D.Khatinoglu / Appealing to the international law observers, 26 Iranians who have been sentenced to death have suggested holding a demonstration all over the world on 7 September to prevent mass deaths in Iran.
“We appeal to you to prevent these terrible actions. We call on you to use every means possible to cancel the death sentence,” the statement read.
Speaking of the unfairness in courts and the moral and physical tortures, the inmates demanded that the death sentence be cancelled, not only in Iran, but all over the world.
The Chairman of International Committee against Execution, Mrs. Ahadi, reported to Trend on 27 August that currently, political and other prisoners have been sentenced to death in the prisons of Evin, Gohardasht, Sanandaj, Urmiya, Tebriz and Nagade. According to him, the death sentence of 12 inmates in Kerman City is expected to be implemented, 20 in Mashad, 26 in Karaj and many others in Tebriz, Tehran and other cities.
Mrs. Ahadi said that last month 40 death sentences were executed and inmate Jafar Kiani was stoned to death.
The Chairman of the Committee for Protection of the Iranian Inmates, Emad-aldin Baghi, reported to Trend on 27 August by telephone from Iran that the death sentence is approved by the majority of the Iranian population and also those religious bodies.
“Most of population wishes for the offenders to be sentenced to death. The sacred Koran book of Muslims contains ayat on killing. Canceling the death sentence is assessed as actions which contradict the Koran,” Baghi said. He believes it is possible to liquidate the death sentence. According to Baghi, the Koran contains ayats which envisage other punishment measures.
The representative of Tebriz to the Iranian Parliament refused to comment.
http://news.trend.az/cgi-bin/readnews2.pl?newsId=984488&lang=EN