[Imc-cleveland] PRESS RELEASE: USA - IHRC expresses concern over upcoming sentencing of Seyed Mahmood Mousavi

[Islamic Human Rights Commission]

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Islamic Human Rights Commission

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03 October 2008

 

PRESS RELEASE: USA - IHRC expresses concern over upcoming sentencing of
Seyed Mahmood Mousavi

 

The case of American Iranian national Seyed Mahmood Mousavi, scheduled
to be sentenced on 06 October 2008, is an alarming one. In April 2008,
Mousavi was found guilty of six felony counts, including his alleged
violation of the US/Iran trade embargo, failing to report income and
lying on his naturalization application. Nevertheless, several
translated documents offered by prosecution as court exhibits have been
suggested by expert witnesses as being flawed. Likewise, much evidence
and testimony, strongly suggesting Mr Mousavi's innocence, had not been
presented to the court. 

 

Amongst the numerous examples of alleged mistranslations was a document
affirming that Mr Mousavi's 'war-victim' (janbaz) status and eligibility
to receive benefits was in fact evidence suggesting his affiliation to
the military. This status, as has been affirmed by several expert
witnesses, was awarded to military and civilians alike and is no way
indicative of a military affiliation. 

 

In recently submitted defense pleadings, Mousavi attorney Ronald Kaye
says:

 

"The defense is cognizant and respects the fact that a jury returned a
verdict of

guilty on the six counts of the indictment. But an objective review of
Mr. Mousavi's

life history, and of the evidence now available to the Court, reveals
that the jury did

not receive a correct view of the facts of this case. As demonstrated by
the

Declarations of highly esteemed scholars...in conjunction with the
exculpatory evidence

not presented to the jury... there is substantial doubt whether the
verdicts of conviction are just." 

 

"Ultimately, based on the arguments presented herein and the wealth of
supporting documentation, after over one year in custody, the defense
requests that the Court sentence Mr. Mousavi to a period of time
served."

 

IHRC firmly supports a lenient sentence for Mr Mousavi and the motion
filed by his defense for a new trial. Likewise, IHRC is very hopeful
that Monday's sentencing does not become a travesty of justice.

 

 

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904
4222 or (+44) 7958 607475 email info at ihrc.org.[ENDS]

 

Notes to Editors:

 

[1] Please find attached sentencing position and Social History report
of Mr Mousavi.

 

[2] Department of Justice news release on conviction may be viewed here:
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/la042408usa.htm

 

 

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative
status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

 

IHRC is not responsible for the content of external websites, nor
endorses them by providing their link.

 

Islamic Human Rights Commission

PO Box 598

Wembley

HA9 7XH

United Kingdom

 

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222

Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183

Email: info at ihrc.org

Web: www.ihrc.org

 

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