Conversation with Delara Darabi's Lawyer

On Tuesday, February 23, I spoke to Delara Darabi's lawyer, Mr. Khormshahi.  He informed me that Delara's blood test results are still not in, but that he and Delara's father had requested a complete physical for Delara, because she has grown so thin and anemic.   The news of the arrival of Iran's Supreme Court's decree of approval of Delara's death sentence has served as yet another blow to the naturally sensitive artist.  

Mr. Khormshahi explained that in all the years that he has practiced law, he has never come across any one like Delara.  He emphasized that unlike other individuals who had been in the news for committing crimes as minors, such as Nazanin Fatehi, Delara did not kill anyone.  Delara's father describes Delara as a truly gentle soul who can not bear the suffering or unhappiness of anyone around her.   When Delara's sisters would find themselves facing punishment for something they should not have done, Delara would routinely attempt to take responsibility for their actions, and would ask her parents to punish her instead.    When Delara claimed responsibility for the murder of Mahin, she was, once again, trying to save a loved one – this time her boyfriend Amir – from facing the punishment that he was certain to receive.   Amir had convinced Delara that because she was only 17 at the time of the murder, she could not be punished if she claimed responsibility.   When Delara realized that Amir had lied to her, it was too late:  She was already in jail for murder and faced execution.

Delara feels broken and betrayed.   Despite her repeated claims of innocence and despite forensic evidence showing that the petite artist, poet, and pianist could not have been the murderer, the trial court sentenced her to death by hanging. Iran's Supreme Court has upheld that ruling. 

In addition to facing execution for a crime that she never committed, Delara has had a difficult time dealing with the fact that the boy she loved and for whom she sacrificed so much has refused to admit to his role in the crime.   Amir's silence about the events of the night of Mahin's murder has secured him a 10 year prison sentence instead of capital punishment.  Delara, on the other hand, is haunted by images of death on a nightly basis and suffers from extreme depression.   In January 2007, she attempted to take her own life in prison. 

Delara's lawyer informed me that the one thing that has brought some joy and a smile to Delara's face recently is the news that someone in a land far away was thinking about her and had sent her presents.   He asked me to continue sending her letters, books, and painting supplies, since -- true to her sensitive nature as an artist -- Delara loves beautiful things and words and finds comfort in knowing that she is loved by someone, somewhere.  

Delara misses music.  She misses playing the piano.  She spends her days writing poetry, reading books, and, if she feels well enough, she paints.  

In prison, Delara is loved by her prison mates.  Her kindness and soft heart has touched all who have come into contact with her.   Her lawyer tells me that not a week can go by without a call from Delara asking him to please help her prison mates, often offering to trade her own representation for them.   It was not difficult to notice that, like everyone else who comes into contact with the young artist, Mr. Khormshahi is also affected by the gentle soul that is Delara Darabi. 

Mr. Khormshahi asked me to continue spreading the word about Delara's case and to ask all those who care to keep the innocent girl-child in their prayers.   He asked me to emphasize that Delara is truly innocent, that all the evidence shows that the left-handed, petite girl who was drugged by Amir before entering Mahin's home, could not have possibly been the murderer.   And he vowed to do all that is possible under the law to, at the very least, obtain a new trial for the teenage prisoner, where he can present the evidence in her case file and introduce the expert and forensic testimony that was absent during Delara's initial "trial."  

Please continue to speak out about the injustice to which young Delara has been subjected.  Please sign the petition objecting to her execution and ask your family, friends, co-workers, members of your church, school, and community to do the same.   Please keep young Delara Darabi in your thoughts and prayers.  Please keep Delara in your hearts.

Lily Mazahery, Esq.

President

Legal Rights Institute