Mohammad Mostafaei

Front Line is pleased to report that on 7 August 2010, human rights defender Mr Mohammad Mostafaei arrived safely in Norway where he has claimed political asylum. Ms Fereshteh Halimi, Mohammad Mostafaei's wife, was also released on bail on the afternoon of 7 August.

Further Information

Ms Fereshteh Halimi had been held in solitary confinement in Evin prison in Tehran since her husband disappeared whilst sought for questioning by the Iranian authorities.

However, she has been charged with “concealing a suspect" and may still face prosecution. Mohammad Mostafaei's brother and father-in-law were also detained before their release on bail, and both may also face pending charges.

Mohammad Mostafaei last week emerged in Istanbul after fleeing to Turkey while subject to an arrest warrant in Iran. He had been missing since failing to attend a summons for questioning on 24 July. He filed an application for asylum in Turkey before flying to Oslo, and announced during a press conference on 8 August that he has applied for political asylum in Norway after being granted assistance by the Norwegian consular authorities. However, he said he hopes international pressure will force Tehran to let him return to his practice. "My greatest hope is that I can go back and continue my work in Iran. If the Iranian authorities will ensure my rights and safety, I'll go back. Right now, I've lost the ability to work on the behalf of my clients. That means I've lost everything. Without that, it doesn't matter whether I'm in heaven or hell."

It is believed that the questioning and intended arrest of Mohammad Mostafaei, a human rights lawyer, by the Iranian authorities was linked to his work as defence counsel for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning after being convicted of adultery, as well as to his defence of juvenile prisoners. He had also been working on the case of Ebrahim Hamidi, an 18-year-old sentenced to death on charges of homosexuality. It is widely believed that the arrest of his relatives was carried out in an attempt to pressure him to turn himself in to the authorities.

Front Line welcomes the release of Mohammad Mostafaei's relatives as well as his safe arrival in Norway, and urges the Iranian authorities to allow Fereshteh Halimi and their daughter Parmida to be reunited with the human rights defender as soon as possible. However, Front Line expresses its concern that charges remain pending against Fereshteh Halimi, her brother Farhad Halimi, and their father, and that they could be prosecuted in relation to the case.

See the original Front Line appeal on this case