Iran must release family of missing lawyer
The whereabouts of Iranian human rights lawyer Mohammas Mostafaei, who is defending a woman at risk of being stoned to death, are currently unknown.
He has not been seen since he was released from questioning on Saturday and his family has now been detained.
Amnesty International fears that his family is being being held to put pressure on Mohammed Mostafaei to turn himself in to the authorities, if he is not already being detained.
The acclaimed lawyer is defending Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, whose case became the subject of an international outcry when it was reported that she was soon to be executed by stoning.
He has also defended many juvenile offenders, political prisoners and others sentenced to stoning. Mostafaei has been a vocal critic of the administration of justice in Iran.
Thorn in the side
"Mohammad Mostafaei is a thorn in the side of the Iranian authorities and we fear that he is being persecuted in an attempt to stop him carrying out his professional activities as a defence lawyer and in support of human rights," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director.
Mostafaei was summoned for questioning by judicial officials at Tehran's Evin prison on Saturday but released after several hours. However he later received a telephone call summoning him back to the prison. It is not known whether he returned to the prison or not.
Mohammad Mostafaei’s wife, Fereshteh Halimi, and her brother, Farhad Halimi, were arrested on Saturday evening. They remain held and have been denied access to their lawyer.
Following his interrogation on Saturday, Mostafaei wrote on his blog that he was questioned mainly about his defence of juvenile offenders. He also wrote on his Facebook account: “It is possible they will arrest me".
Intent on silencing
"The Iranian authorities appear intent on silencing anyone who speaks out against stoning or other issues where Iran’s international human rights obligations are clearly being violated," said Malcolm Smart.
"Mohammad Mostafaei should be allowed to get on with his job as a lawyer rather than face arrest himself for trying to defend victims of human rights abuses.
"If Fereshteh and Farhad Halimi are held solely because they are related to Mohammad Mostafaei, or in order to place pressure on him, they are prisoners of conscience and must be immediately released."
