17 May 2011

Iran stoning woman's lawyer jailed, allegedly tortured

THE former lawyer of an Iranian woman facing death by stoning was beginning an 11-year prison sentence today for his efforts to publicise her case.

Javid Houtan Kian, who represented Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, was jailed for endangering Iran's national security and spreading propaganda against the regime, with a further charge of spying still under review by the prosecutor.

Since his arrest in October he has been burned with cigarettes on his legs, feet and testicles, and has had 12 of his teeth knocked out during bouts of torture, according to a letter written by Kian that was reportedly smuggled out of the jail earlier this year. [news.com.au] Read more