Rahim Ahmadi has 3 days to live

by SCE Campaign
15-Feb-2009

SCE President, Nazanin Afshin-Jam received news from former child-prisoner Reza Alinejad of the imminent execution of Rahim Ahmadi believed to be carried out this Wednesday, February 18th 2009.
Reza Alinejad who was recently saved from death row and released from prison, got a phone call from his past cellmates informing him that Rahim Ahmadi had been sent to the section where prisoners are held before they are to be executed.

Reza Alinejad described Rahim Ahmadi as a good and quiet boy who minded his own business. He said that he would often read his prayer books and pray. He also said that he was really good at handicrafts like knitting and sewing, activities given to prisoners to keep them occupied.

Background:

Despite a few Judges acknowledging that Rahim used a knife in self defense, his death sentence was confirmed by Iran’s head of Judiciary Ayatollah Shahroudi. On August 8th 2005, when Rahim was 15 years old, he stabbed and killed a man named Reza. Shiraz police were notified that the attacker had fled the scene and started a widespread manhunt. Rahim turned himself in the following day. During investigation, Rahim said:

“the day before the incident happened, Reza and two of his friends confronted me. They beat me and ran away and of course, I hit them back. The next day, the three of them came after me again. I was standing at my front door, when they attacked me. I managed to grab a knife away from one of them. In self-defense, I stabbed Reza. I had not planned to kill anyone and if I had not hit Reza, they would have hit me”.

Although Rahim was no more than 15 years old, the presiding judges considered him an adult from a religious standpoint and sentenced Rahim to death. He was transferred him to Adelabad prison in Shiraz where he spent the last 5 years in jail. The sentencing was confirmed by the Supreme Court and sent to Ayatullah Shahroudi for final approval. His death sentence was confirmed and he now awaits imminent execution.

Please send your urgent action by phoning or faxing the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations:

Mohammad Khazaee, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
622 Third Ave. New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 687-2020 / Fax: (212) 867-7086
E-mail: iran@un.int

And writing to the Head of Judiciary in Iran

His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Phone: [00 98 21] 391 1109
Fax: [00 98 21] 390 4986
Email: Shahroudi@Dadgostary-tehran.ir

Salutation: Your Excellency

(Due to the short time left, we ask you to either send faxes or e-mails or make phone calls.)