How International Pressure Saved An Iranian Rape Victim From Execution

Many of you have asked whether, in light of the fact that Iran is currently ruled by a group of misogynistic mad-men, anything that we do can actually save Nazanin, the 18 year old girl who has been sentenced to death by public hanging for stabbing a man who tried to rape her.  The answer is YES!  The following case is one example of how pressure from international groups and individuals around the world can have a REAL impact on cases such as that of Nazanin. 

Under Iran's legal system, the family of the "victim" (i.e. the man who was murdered by the girl or woman he was trying to rape or succeeded in raping) can decide the "offender's" punishment.  The family can decide that the "offender" be executed, or, the family can ask that the said "offender" compensate them by providing them with the appropriate amount of "blood money."

In this context, mounting international pressure can, in fact, force the rapist's family to accept "blood money" from Nazanin, thereby withdrawing their original request to hang Nazanin in public. Accordingly, if enough of us speak out, if we continue to express our outrage, and if we are able to raise enough money that Nazanin would be able offer to the family of the rapist as "blood money," then HER LIFE CAN BE SPARED.  This is why I have set up a fund-raising "shop" for Nazanin at http://www.cafepress.com/dcist.  It is a small step, I know, but the world is full of great things that began with small steps. 

You can also find a great deal of valuable information about Nazanin and how you can help and make a difference at:  http://save.nazanin.googlepages.com/home 

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An Iranian woman sentenced to death for killing a police official she said had tried to rape her has been pardoned by the victim's family, officials said.

The family of Behzad Moghaddam agreed to accept compensation instead of seeking Afsaneh Norouzi's execution.

Iran's Supreme Court overturned Mrs Norouzi's death sentence in July but she still faced a lower court's ruling.

The mother of three, whose seven-year case prompted a human rights outcry, is expected to be freed soon.

'Self-defence'

The decision by Mr Moghaddam's family to accept a "blood money" payment of $62,500 (£33,200) instead of seeking Mrs Norouzi's life brings the case to an end.

A judiciary official said the death sentence could not be brought against Mrs Norouzi, now 34, again.

She and her family were visiting Mr Moghaddam, an intelligence officer on the holiday island of Kish in the Persian Gulf, in 1997 when her husband was called away.

Mrs Norouzi said she had tried to defend herself with a knife when the officer attempted to rape her.

A court in Kish eventually found her guilty of murder and condemned her to death - a sentence initially upheld by the Supreme Court last year.

However, under pressure from women's rights activists and reformist politicians, the head of the judiciary finally ordered a review before the Supreme Court, which in July quashed the death verdict.

However, it ordered a new ruling from the Kish court, which could have led to a further sentence for Mrs Norouzi.

Vulnerable victims

Mrs Norouzi had refused to plead for mercy because she believed she had justly defended herself.

Women's rights activist and lawyer Sara Irani told The Associated Press news agency she welcomed the resolution of the case.

"Norouzi's freedom will give new breath to women to find the courage to stand up for their rights and defend themselves," she said.

In Iran, a married woman who is raped risks the death penalty for adultery if she cannot prove she was violated.

If she kills her attacker, she may also face the death sentence for murder.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4172551.stm