Jan. 11
IRAN:
Iran’s gift to the American presidential candidates: first death penalty
against a U.S. citizen in 33 years
At present, if Iran decides to go through with Amir Hekmati's execution, the
American election candidates will be faced with significant difficulties.
Amnesty International issued a statement on Monday saying Iran must not execute
a US National sentenced to death, after an unfair trial.
"Like many other detainees in Iran, Amir Hekmati did not receive a fair trial
and we question the timing and political circumstances of this decision," said
Ann Harrison, Amnesty International's interim Director for the Middle East and
North Africa.
Amir Mirzaei Hekmati was detained in August last year. The ex-Marine was
accused of spying for the CIA and sentenced to death for "collaboration with a
hostile government". His appeal against this conviction and sentence must be
lodged within 20 days.
Iran charged Amir Mirzaei Hekmati with receiving special training and serving
at U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan before traveling to Iran on an
intelligence mission.
The United States denied the accusations. The State Department called them a
"complete fabrication" and White House spokesman Tommy Vietor added that
"allegations that Mr. Hekmati either worked for or was sent to Iran by the CIA
are false."
Meanwhile, the Iranian government claims that it has undeniable pieces of
evidence for the charge of espionage against Amir Mirzaei Hekmati. Several
times, the Iranian government arrested different people, including American
citizens and Iranian-Americans, on the charges of spying for the USA, but this
is the 1st death penalty since Iran's revolution 33 years ago. For example, the
3 American hikers who were arrested at the Iranian border with Iraqi, in August
2009, on the charge of spying, were simply released 2 years later.
"We know from past experience that the Iranian authorities sometimes rush
forward with executions of political prisoners - including dual nationals - at
politically sensitive times and we fear that this execution could happen within
days or weeks." said Ann Harrison.
It is obvious that Iran has always been tougher to deal with those who have
dual citizenship in the case of spying but when it comes to Iranian-Americans,
Iran is cautious in issuing severe sentences against these citizens.
However, the current state of affairs shows that Iran changed its policy
against the United States. Some experts believe this is a response to
increasing pressures from the U.S. against the Iranian government.
Amnesty International said today that amid fears Amir Hekmati could be executed
within weeks, showing an intentional threat towards the U.S. On the other hand,
Iran may build stronger barriers for its own security, meantime demonstrating
to the world that Iran's security is not penetrable. There is only one meaning
to "Iran has a nuclear bomb" which is the development of a defense program
against the West.
Ahmadinejad has already said several times that if the U.S. decides for more
sanctions against Iran, he will think of more serious comebacks. But most U.S.
presidential candidates retorted to public talks about a possible US or Israeli
attack against Iran in the present election campaign. This certainly angered
the Iranian authorities.
Khamenei's military advisor stated that if Israel attacks Iran, Hamas and the
Lebanese Hezbollah will attack Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel, with missiles.
Thus, the Iranian president expects the U.S. to understand and count on this
death penalty as an example of such response.
It seems that American presidential candidates' involvement in Iran's nuclear
program is just a way of getting more votes. But for Iran this is more serious.
At present, if Iran decides to go through with Amir Hekmati's execution, the
American presidential candidates will be faced with significant difficulties.
Meanwhile, Iran knows that this sentence will turn the world's view to other
issues, even if for a while, and at the same time it can turn tables in Iran's
favor. This tactic has been used repeatedly by the Iranian government over the
years. The obvious example was Sakineh Mohammadi's stoning which deflected
world's attention from the Iranian nuclear issue.
The card that Iran has put on the table today for the American candidates will
probably lead to a win-win situation for Iran. If U.S. officials are not able
to save Amir Hekmati, this will put a strain on future elections for both the
Republicans and Democrats. However, if they succeed in saving him, based on
experience, surely the Iranian government will demand in exchange a
considerable amount of money or the release a prominent prisoner in America.
(source: allvoices.com)
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