Teacher In Imminent Danger Of Execution

Since the news of imminent execution of Abdolreza Ghanbari was reported by HRNA, his wife has denied this news. HRNA did issue an apology for their inaccurate reporting.

In an interview with Roozonline dated August 16, 2011 Ghanbari’s wife explained the latest situation of her husband’s case.

For an update on the case of Abdolreaza Ghanbari, please read Mrs. Ghanbari’s interview with Roozonline here

Abdolreza Ghanbari’s death sentence order has been sent to the Revolutionary Court’s Implementation Division.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports the Amnesty and Clemency Commission has rejected Ghanbari’s clemency request and has sent the case to the Implementation Division.

Ghanbari with a PhD in Literature and Persian Language was a high school teacher in Varamin when arrested during Ashura protest on December 27, 2009.

He was charged, convicted and sentenced to death for video taping the protests and sending them to opposition groups.

About a month after his arrest, without access to a lawyer, or knowing his legal rights, Ghanbari was put on trial on January 30, 2010. He was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced to death in the court room of Judge Salavati.

In an illegal act, the death penalty verdict issued by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court was sent to Judge Zargar’s Branch 36 Appeals Court instead of being sent to the Supreme Court. Judge Zargar upheld Ghanbari’s death sentence.

His wife filed an appeal and requested a new hearing which was rejected. she then sent a letter to the Amnesty and Clemency Commission. One year after her request for clemency, the case has now been sent to the sentence Implementation Division.

Source: HRANA