Posted on 05/05/2005 6:46:02 PM PDT by F14 Pilot
THE head of Iran's hardline judiciary has ordered police and prosecutors to stop forcing suspects to confess, after comparing their treatment of detainees in some cases to US soldiers' abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib.
The order from Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, carried by official media, said police and the judicial apparatus should exercise more caution in issuing summons and refrain from "intimidation, mental or physical pressure" during interrogations.
Quoted in Iranian newspapers today, he also said the overzealous enforcement of the Islamic republic's strict dress code was counter-productive.
"Sometimes they do some things like put a bag over the head, which resembles what the Americans do to terrorists in Abu Ghraib" prison in Baghdad, Ayatollah Shahrudi was quoted as saying in a reference to police handling of suspects after arrests.
"It is no joke to detain and hurt people's dignity and reputation," the judiciary chief told a gathering of prosecution staff before issuing his order.
Iran's judiciary, a bastion of the religious right wing, has rarely acknowledged accusations of rights abuses in the country, but in recent months Ayatollah Shahrudi has appeared to be increasingly open to complaints from Iranians.
However, at the same time Iran has rejected a barrage of foreign criticism, notably from the EU and Canada - and in particular over its alleged covering up of the case of Zahra Kazemi, an Iranian-Canadian photographer killed in custody in Tehran in July 2003.
Ayatollah Shahrudi's comments also came as campaigning began for the June 17 presidential elections. One of the frontrunners is Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who until last month was Iran's chief of police.
Mr Qalibaf is already coming under fire over his alleged past support of the repression of pro-democracy protests and an ongoing media crackdown.
In his circular released today, Ayatollah Shahrudi pointed out that police had no right to question a suspect without the presence of justice officials, and that "judges cannot summon or detain anyone unless there is enough evidence".
"During the interrogation, it is forbidden to ask questions designed to cheat or force the accused," the order said.
Interrogators should also "refrain from abusive and insulting language".
"Needless to say, confessions or testimonies obtained this way have no legal value."
Do I smell a stench?
Do I smell a stench?
oops!!! rookie mistake
Never interpret the statements of an Iranian mullah until the napalm fires burn-out.
Kind of a screwy thing to say. I wonder what his goal is?
<<<<"Sometimes they do some things like put a bag over the head, >>>>>>
Is he talking about doing this to prisoners or to their wives. I bet that Maddie Allbright has worn a bag more than once. Hillary may have worn a couple too , and Maxine Waters, definitely.
You are so right. The Iranians wanting freedom know what's going on in Iraq and other parts of the world. They will not let up this time.
Lol.
" I wonder what his goal is?"
Politics.
"Ayatollah Shahrudi's comments also came as campaigning began for the June 17 presidential elections. One of the frontrunners is Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who until last month was Iran's chief of police."
For a bit of perspective it is useful to remember that this is a country where flogging and stoning to death are still not only legal but in practice.
"Iranian police 'as bad as US troops': Iranian Mullah"
Look who's talking.
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