U.S. Condemns Death Sentence for Mohammad Amin Valian

U.S. Condemns Death Sentence for Mohammad Amin Valian

HRANA – In a statement released on Friday, the United States deplored reports that Iranian courts upheld the execution sentence issued for a 20 year-old student arrested for throwing rocks during a protest and called his punishment disproportionate.

The Revolutionary Court released a statement on Wednesday, March 3, announcing the affirmation of Mohammad Amin Valian’s execution sentence. Valian was detained in the aftermath of the popular protests on Ashura, the Shi’ite day of mourning that fell on December 27. He was charged with “Moharebeh” (war against God), corruption on earth, gathering and assembly for the purpose of committing crimes against national security, spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic and insulting senior government authorities.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in the written statement: “The United States notes with great concern reports the Iranian courts have upheld a death sentence for 20-year-old university student Mohammad Amin Valian.” The statement continued: “We find this disproportionate punishment deplorable and urge his immediate release.”

“We join the international community in calling on Iranian authorities to release all political prisoners,” he added. “If the Iranian government wants the respect of the international community, it must respect the fundamental freedoms of its people.”