Posted on 08/17/2010 11:43:13 AM PDT by nuconvert
WASHINGTON — An Iranian activist is suing Nokia Siemens before a US court, accusing the firm and its parent companies of supplying the Iranian government with technology it used to spy on dissidents.
Moawad & Herischi, the Maryland firm that filed the suit Monday, said Isa Saharkhiz alleges "human rights violations committed by the Iranian government (were carried out) through the aid of spying centers which were provided by Nokia Siemens Networks."
The firm said Isa Saharkhiz, an Iranian journalist and political dissident, was arrested "as a result of the surveillance and monitoring of his cell phone communications in the aftermath of disputed 2009 presidential election in Iran."
"Since his arrest, Iranian officials have tortured Mr. Saharkhiz and subjected him to other inhumane and degrading treatment or punishment. Currently, his health is deteriorating, suffering from untreated injuries caused by torture, resulting from Iranian authorities withholding necessary medical care."
The suit, filed before a federal court in the US state of Virginia, targets Nokia Siemens Networks and its parent companies Nokia, a Finnish telecoms firm, and Siemens AG, a German engineering giant.
It calls on Nokia Siemens Networks "to cease all unlawful support of intercepting centers of the Iranian government," asks the firm "to help secure the release of Mr. Isa Saharkhiz through the use of their connections with the Iranian government.
"Lastly, the suit seeks relief that would prevent defendants from harming others in the future in other similarly situated countries like Iran."
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
While I feel for him, I don’t see that he has a cause of action in an American court.
I’m not clear, who is the Plaintiff listed as such in the suit filed in Virginia? It seems that the subject of the complaint is in an Iranian jail.
It might even be criminal case against the company if they provided the equipment against the US law prohibiting such exports to Iran. Guy probably has to go to civil court because of who we have in the White House:(
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