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With the supreme court’s approval of Farzad Kamangar’s death sentence and the ‎possibility of his imminent execution at the Rajaishahr prison in Karaj, several Kurdish ‎representatives at the Islamic Republic’s Majlis (parliament) called on the judiciary to ‎overturn the verdict. Mahabad’s representative, Jalal Mahmoudzadeh, and Marivan’s ‎representative, Eghbal Mohammadi, are among the verdict’s opponents who called for ‎the a new trial for Farzad Kamangar in an interview with Rooz. ‎

Farzad Kamangar does not Deserve this Verdict ‎

Mahabad’s representative in the eighth Majlis, Jalal Mahmoudzadeh, discussed his ‎concerns with Rooz: “First of all, I announce my utter disappointment with this verdict. ‎As people’s representatives in the Majlis and according to the Constitution, we are ‎obliged to supervise and comment on all issues concerning citizens residing all over the ‎Islamic Iran. Regarding the death sentence of the teacher from Kamyaran, Mr. Farzad ‎Kamangar, and his charge of ‘armed warfare against state,’ I have to add that Mr. ‎Kamangar does not deserve such a heavy sentence and is eligible for Islamic tradition of ‎forgiveness and reduction of his sentence. On the other hand, it must be noted that ‎confessions extracted under torture and in absence of an attorney are legally worthless. ‎We hope that the judicial system and judges in this case take justice into account when ‎completing and finalizing the case and reviewing confessions and evidence so that, god ‎forbid, the rights of this young, Muslim Iranian teacher are not violated.” ‎

Overturn this Verdict ‎

Marivan’s representative in the Majlis, Eghbal Mohammadi, discussed Farzad ‎Kamangar’s death sentence in interview with Rooz: “Honestly, we do not know what Mr. ‎Kamangar’s political crime exactly is. ‘Political crime’ has not yet been legally defined ‎in our country. Nevertheless, Majlis deputies are concerned about this execution verdict; ‎because the issue of execution is important and costly for Iran and the human society in ‎general. At the same time, no one is opposed to confronting people who commit crimes. ‎My expectation is that we sit down with Kurdistan representatives’ caucus and discuss ‎this case in a reasonable manner and share our concerns with the judiciary in a logical ‎and lawful manner. If we find out that his rights are violated we will certainly defend ‎him.”‎

Mr. Mohammadi added, “[i]n my opinion, it is in the Islamic Republic’s best interest if ‎the judiciary reconsiders this case. If his attorney claims that his client’s rights are ‎violated, he can come to us and we will help him. Our duty is to legislate and supervise ‎implementation of our legislation. We have a responsibility to make sure these laws are ‎implemented in a satisfactory manner.” ‎

In conclusion, Marivan’s representative told judiciary’s officials, “I demand that, if the ‎claims of his attorney are true, the case is revisited. We will try to sit down with other ‎representatives in the Majlis and figure out legal and reasonable paths to solving this ‎problem. I will try on my own level to share view with other representatives regarding ‎this matter, given its importance.” ‎