Iran: Khadijeh Moghaddam Member of Campaign and Mother’s Committee Arrested

international | gender and sexuality | other press

Friday April 11, 2008 18:53

by pat c

Another Womens rights activist has been detained in Iran. Her only crimes was to demand equality of treatment for Women. Full text at the link.

On April 8th, security police forcibly entered the home of Khadijeh Moghaddam, women’s rights activist and member of the One Million Signatures Campaign and arrested her. Khadijeh Moghaddam who is a member of the Mother’s Committee of the Campaign was transferred to Eshrat Abad Security Police, where she was interrogated for several hours She was them brought to court and interrogated by Sobhani an Investigative Judge and charged. Bail was set at 100 Million Tomans (roughly $110,000). Moghaddam was then transferred to Vozara Detention Center.

Khadijeh Moghaddam

Khadijeh Moghaddam explained that:

“they were objecting to the fact that I had hosted meetings in my home, to which I replied that I have the right to hold meetings and parties and weddings and memorial services in my home, my private residence. The investigative judge at the Revolutionary Courts asked that I identify members of the Campaign who had participated in the gatherings in my home. I refused to do so, and explained that I do not believe providing such information to be ethical. I also explained that we are not engaged in any sort of covert activity and that the security officials know the identities of Campaign members.”

Moghaddam explained further that the charges against her were: “spreading of propaganda against the state; disruption of public opinion; and actions against national security , the names of Campaign members. When asked to provide my last defense, I explained that my way of life is my defense and also told the investigative judge that it is in fact the security authorities with their actions who are endangering national security.”