Iranian MPs urge courts to lift death sentence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nearly two-thirds of Iran's parliament called on the judiciary yesterday to lift a death sentence handed down this week to a reformist scholar convicted of insulting Islam.
The Speaker, Mehdi Karroubi, said the sentence against Hashem Aghajari, a university professor, was a "disgusting" verdict. Other lawmakers said it portrayed Iran as dictatorial and unconcerned with human rights and freedoms.
A total of 181 members of the 290-seat parliament signed a letter urging the sentence to be lifted.
Aghajari was convicted of insulting the prophet Mohammed and questioning the hardline clerics' interpretation of Islam in a speech made in June in the western city of Hamedan. He said each generation should be able to interpret the faith in its own way.
Aghajari's party, the Islamic Revolution Mujahedin Organisation, supports President Mohammad Khatami's push for social and political reforms. Yesterday, the parliament approved proposals for a bill backed by the President that would limit the clerics' powers by stopping the judiciary and other unelected institutions from violating the constitution. (AP)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments