Monday June 11, 2007, 7:32 pm
Delara Darabi's "Accomplice" Withdraws Legal Objection to Charges Against Him, Prevents Re-Assessment of Case, Evidence
Delara Darabi's "Accomplice" Accpets His Sentence, Withdraws His Legal Objection

The partner of Delara Darabi, female artist convicted of murder, who had objected to the ruling of the trial court against him, withdrew his objection.

Amir-Hussain, the young man who has been convicted of being Delara's accomplice in the murder and robbery of a woman named Mahin and having "inappropriate relations" with Delara, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Amir-Hussain had objected to being found guilty as Delara's accomplice in the murder, and his case was issued to the appellate court for review.

On Sunday, June 10, 2007, Delara's lawyer, Abdolsamad Khoramshahi, contacted human rights lawyer, Lily Mazahery, who is spearheading the internatonal effort to save Delara from exectuion, to inform her that Amir-Hussain's defense lawyer had withdrawn his objection and had announced that his client has accepted the entirety of his sentence. Accordingly, Amir-Hussain, without objection to the validity of the charges against him, has been condemned to 13 years imprisonment and flogging.

The legal significance of Amir-Hussain's withdrawl of his objection is that the case will not be re-opened to examine the evidence. As such, Delara will remain on death row without having had the opportunity to re-create the scene of the incident, as she and her lawyer have asked to do for the past three years. If Amir-Hussain's objection had not been withdrawan, then the court would have had to examine the evidence and witnesses would have had to be present to testify and face cross-examination. In such a context, it could have been shown that Delara could not have committed the murder, thereby establishing her innocence and securing her freedom. Conversely, the evidence could have proven that Amir-Hussain was not an "accomplice" in the case, as he has been found to be based on Delara's initial claim of responsibility for the crime. A recreation of the murder scene could have, instead, established Amir-Hussain as the murderer, thereby exonerating Delara in this case.

Delara Darabi, an artist, has been convicted of murdering her father's cousin three years ago with her accomplice, Amir-Hussain. During the trial, Delara objected to the charge against her, stating that based on Amir-Hussain's request, she had claimed responsibility for the murder. At the present time, Delara's case is before Iran's head of judiciary. New hopes have developed for the prevention of her execution.


همدست دل‌آرا محكوميتش را پذيرفت

همدست جوان دل‌آرا دختر نقاش متهم به قتل كه به راي صادره دادگاه اعتراض كرده بود، اعتراض خود را پس گرفت.

اميرحسين پسر جواني كه متهم به معاونت در قتل و سرقت اموال زني به نام مهين و رابطه نامشروع با دل‌آرا بود، پس از محاكمه به 10 سال حبس از سوي دادگاه بدوي و حبس و جزاي نقدي در خصوص سرقت و رابطه نامشروع محكوم شد. او بدون اعتراض به حكم صادره در خصوص معاونت در قتل به ساير احكام اعتراض كرد و پرونده براي رسيدگي در اين خصوص به دادگاه تجديد نظر فرستاده شد، اما مدتي بعد وكيل مدافع اميرحسين اعتراض خود را پس گرفت و اعلام كرد موكلش همه محكوميت‌هايش را پذيرفته است.

بنابراين اميرحسين بدون اعتراض به آراي صادره به 13 سال حبس و شلاق محكوم شد.

دل‌آرا دارابي دختر نقاش متهم به قتل متهم است سه سال پيش با همدستي امير حسين، دختر عموي پدرش را به قتل رسانده است. دل‌آرا در جلسه محاكمه اتهام قتل را رد كرد و گفت به خواسته اميرحسين به قتل اعتراف كرده است. در حال حاضر پرونده دل‌آرا در مرحله استيذان نزد رئيس قوه قضائيه است و اميدهاي تازه براي نقض حكم قصاص او به وجود آمده است.

Monday June 11, 2007, 7:44 pm
This is a dark day for all who have worked to advocate for Delara.

Truly I do not see the light...only darkness.

Pray for her and all the Delara's of the world.

If there is any change, I will post the news immediately.

Efforts are ongoing around the clock. We will not cease until all is lost. And should that horrible moment come we will be all the more passionate in advocating for each and every child facing the same fate.

It was hoped that our work here would have created a breakthrough for them all.

Indigo

Monday June 11, 2007, 8:18 pm
This is tragic, sad, frustrating and horrific. Everyone: keep signing petitions, objecting to this cruelty, and sending your messages regarding Delara.

Monday June 11, 2007, 8:41 pm
All is not lost yet Indigo.... Hope never looses faith, and fith never looses it's power. We must stay positive for our dear friend. We are here on;y source of comfort and to getting her out of there. We must keep up the fight and keep moving on alone, one step at a time. Blessings to all and especially Delara....We love you...

Monday June 11, 2007, 9:10 pm
I want to hope that all is not lost, too...how terribly sad for this lovely young woman. Delara, you must never give up hope, know that there are those of us who care about you even though we only know of you, I still feel I have a sense of who you are, and who you want to be, and I want you to have that opportunity. When you feel sad and as if there is no hope, feel that we are all holding you in our arms just as your mother does, offerring our comfort and sincere care about what is happening to you. If we could we would come and get you! Please know your story has touched so many lives of people you may never meet. Your life has meaning NOW. You have meaning and you are special and so, you must LIVE and be here for your future. Much love and comfort to you Delara and to your mother tonite. Noted

Monday June 11, 2007, 9:20 pm
Jennie B. my SOH i echo your heartfelt compassionate love to Delara. Our hearts have been profoundly touched and we so desperately wish we could do more for you dear sister. You are enfolded in Love and Light and we pray for Mercy and Compassion for you. Our Blessings Delara to you and your mother always.
Noted.

Monday June 11, 2007, 9:25 pm
Don't give up

Monday June 11, 2007, 9:25 pm
Don't give up

Monday June 11, 2007, 9:42 pm
Sad to be set up and betrayed by someone close to you. By withdrawing and accepting his sentence he has probably ruined Delaras' chance at holding the right person guilty for the murder. Women do not have equal rights under Iran's law. My prayers are allI can personally do.

Monday June 11, 2007, 10:20 pm
Indigo I do read this news with sadness. There is no doubt that the situation is at a turning point and we do not know which way it will go.

This comment at the very end gives me pause and courage:
"At the present time, Delara's case is before Iran's head of judiciary. New hopes have developed for the prevention of her execution."

Now what those new hopes are we cannot know. I do know we can trust our source.

Letters and petitions must be signed and sent. That is absolutely certain.

But there is hope....however small.

Kalima

Monday June 11, 2007, 10:39 pm
Thanks Indigo. I sure hope something turns up for this young woman. Very sad. Noted.

Monday June 11, 2007, 11:07 pm
THE NEW LINK FOR THE SAVE DELARA COMPLETE ADVOCACY RESOURCE CENTER ON CARE2 IS HERE:

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/SAVEDELARA

AND ALSO REFER TO SAVEDELARA.COM

Kalima
savedelara.com

Monday June 11, 2007, 11:50 pm
Noted. Indigo - keep positive thoughts -hope - don't give up!!
Love & Light

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 1:42 am
Thank you Indigo....while there is light, love and life there will always be hope
Noted...

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 5:14 am
Thank you for your continued support of Delara and the kindness shown in each comment.

I want to share this statement received from Lily Mazahery very late last night:
========================================================================================

"Amir realized that if the appellate court accepts his objection, then there would have to be a new trial where the evidence that has never been presented in this case would be introduced and examined in court. This evidence could reveal that Delara could not have committed this crime and that it was Amir, not Delara, who delivered the lethal stabs to Mahin's body. That would mean that Amir would be the one facing execution, not Delara.

Amir has decided that it is better to do the time that he has been given rather than say that he was not an accomplice to anyone's murder. This prevents the court from examining the evidence.

Amir's action does not have a direct impact on Delara's OWN request for a new trial.

We are still hoping that Ayatollah Shahroudi will find it problematic that this case has never had the benefit of a court examining the physical evidence to see whether forensic and physical evidence comports with Delara's claims. Remember that the court entered its ruling based solely on Delara's initial statement of guilt.

We still remain hopeful that Ayatollah Shahroudi will prevent this execution."

Lily Mazahery

Let us hope and those who feel so inclined, please write, fax, email or phone your protest to all Iranian embassies throughtout the world as well as the Judiciary within Iran.

Details and suggestions will be found on the SaveDelara advocacy and resource center on Care2, which Kalima has provide the links for. Also check savedelara.com.

Indigo

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 5:42 am
noted and signed.

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 6:54 am
I will not give up hope for Delara.....I'll do all i can. Bless all those who are working so hard for this unbelieveably beautiful soul. I pray for mercy.

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 10:17 am
Don´t give up!
Noted.

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 12:06 pm
darkness darkness darkness,what we gonna do i don't know;this bloody middleeast...
Please:Don't give up
Love&Peace

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 4:16 pm
Noted

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 6:40 pm
I wish I could think of something positive to say right now, but I can't. This is so heartbreakingly sad.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 6:07 am
Noted. So sad and tragic. Hope for some last moment positive turn takes place and Delara is exonerated and set free.

Abidali

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 7:30 am
I sincerely hope so, Abidali.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 8:34 am
This is a wonderful young lady with a whole life ahead of her....in the name of the HIGHER POWER, please help Delara, as she is in dire need Lord & needs all of your guidance & light at this crucial moment in her young life...I won't give up, & i will pray for you Delara...u are innocent & need to be SET FREE!!!! Much love to her & Many Blessings, walk with the light Delara, we are all pulling for u sweetie...GOD will prevail.......

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 9:08 am
God can do wonders...I am confident that the judges' heart will sogten and they will realise that Delara has a whole life ahead of her, and if given the chance, she may prove an asset for the country. I am still optimistic.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 11:26 am
It of course seems logical to any who reads this story that it shouldn't be up to the boyfriend if he is charged with this crime. If there is evidence that shows who actually did this murder, it's strange that the courts would not want to charge the correct person. I hate to think that it may simply be that if it's left as a choice, the man would be viewed as the more valuable person of society since he is a man, even as a murderer. The only "crime" Delara committed was being naive. I think about her so much. I want her to be able to move forward and heal.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 7:37 pm
Courage, Indigo. Don't give up. Where there is life, there is hope.

Thursday June 14, 2007, 12:01 am
Dear friends,

On all of the threads for Delara, you have expressed such kindness and care. Would you like to send a message to Delara ?

If you go to the petition for Delara, you will find at the very top information about writing a letter to her.

If you feel so guided, feel free to write and send the letter to the email address at the top of the petition.
Lily Mazahery will see that it is translated into Farsi and given to Delara directly.

Such beautiful expressions can only bring sunshine into the prison of her days.

Indigo

Thursday June 14, 2007, 11:36 pm
What an immense travesty of justice. Hopefully worldwide pressure will force her exoneration and result in her freedom.

Friday June 22, 2007, 6:10 pm
noted

Tuesday June 26, 2007, 12:57 am
Please stay with these campaigns as Indigo and her co-host have been threatened with death if she remains on Care2.

Care2's response to this when they reported the matter, was that they were banned.

The perpetrator still roams freely on this site and no disciplinary action has been taken against him.

And this full knowing he has threatened many and like Indigo, each one was banned for reporting him and he remained.

There is no justice in this.

This was a politically motivated attack to stop her from advocating for the rights of women and children.

The perpetrator hates all Muslims and as Indigo supported all campaigns for them she was "taken out" and this plot was hatched long ago and finally took effect last week.

Members of the community who were aware of this are coming forward with helpful information that is being given to her lawyer and they are gathering more.

She will not be returning but she is deeply concerned that these campaigns and all news items related to them, continue to gather community support and all the signatures, letters, faxes and phone calls needed to ensure a happy resolution for these people.

She is leaving this in your hands now and she also asks that you guard these items from those who hate.

If anyone posts derogatory or hateful comments, please flag them and report all abuse, demanding that their coments be removed from each thread.

This is especially urgent with all threads for the children of Iran.

Cherish them as she did and always will.

V

Tuesday June 26, 2007, 9:11 am
Valar: On what grounds were Indigo and her co-host deleted by Care2? From what you say, this appears to be an outrageous act of censorship!!

Tuesday June 26, 2007, 10:25 am
It was.

There have been efforts to teminate her campaigns as she speaks out for many people in the Middle East and advocates strongly for peace in all nations in that region.

Threats are a common thing for her to receive. This case was different.

Kalima caught a group that is well known on Care2, lobbying to have the block feature removed. She and Indigo had advised several women who had been repeatedly attacked by this group, to block them and they did.

Within hours this group began to post in F&S that they wanted that feature removed, although they used the pretext of putting an end to censorship.

Kalima protested and explained their true motives and why some people need that feature.

This group would pounce on certain news items as soon as they were submitted and as a team work to create such a flame war that they then flagged the women who posted the news and Care2 would delete it.

This was a most brutal form of censorship: to keep the news from reaching front page so that few would read its contents. In nearly all cases, the news was related to either Iraq or Palestine.

In the process, they violated several of Care2's rules of conduct re: hate speech, vulgarities, personal attacks and disparaging remarks.

They have never been disciplined.

Later in that thread she received a death threat that was graphic, explicit and in every way a violation of Care2 rules of conduct. As it was a threat to her life she reported it through flagging and quiet channels. That night she was banned from Care2.

Care2 have deleted the tread but many have saved it for their own reasons.

Indigo was then next to be banned so she posted a news item about this hateful group and it stayed on C2NN front page all weekend. Many saw it, read it, copied and saved it.

Care2 deleted that and by Sunday night Indigo was banned from Care2.

She emptied her forums because the individual who threatened to kill her and Kalima also threatened her friends. She acted to protect the group members and had Indigo been the owner, this could have been accomplished in one cllick. As only Kalima had console control, she did her best.

The group that are behind this assault on her work are all here, as is the man who uttered death threats against Indigo and Kalima.

Friends had told us that this man has threatened many and they all were banned after reporting to Care2.

Again, this man was never disciplined or removed.

That is all that is known.

None of us understand.