A Nottingham MP has urged ministers to help save the life of an Iranian man who has been sentenced to death. MPs heard Mehdi Mohammadi Fard, 19, had been tortured, assaulted, beaten and kept in solitary confinement for protesting against the Iranian regime.
Representing a family member of the man, Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP for Nottingham South wanted to discuss the matter with the UK government to see what help could be offered. She highlighted the case in the House of Commons as the man was convicted for "corruption on Earth" and "war against God".
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, a frightened member of the family and Ms Greenwood' constituent, said Mehdi's sentence has "devastated" the family. They have spoken anonymously to protect her family who are still in Iran.
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Civil unrest and protests against the government of Iran associated with the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini commenced in mid-September. She died following her arrest by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code.
Mehdi, a tattoo artist, was protesting with friends in Nowshahr when they set an empty kiosk on fire. Speaking about the ordeal, his family member recalled: "They were basically blocking the road, shouting slogans, and someone captured this on his phone", they said.
"He was not arrested at the time, but his friends got arrested. The phones were then searched and the video was found. They contacted him to basically talk to him because they wanted to arrest him."
Mehdi ran away and hid in a half built site, only getting out around 3am, thinking that he was no longer chased by the authorities. "When he came out of the hiding, he was ambushed and they beat him so badly, he hit his face on the ground and broke his nose", his family member said.
The man was only 18 years old when his family claim he was taken into a rat infested prison in solitary confinement on October 2. "He did not have anything to eat", the family member added. "He only had some water, but he had no food and nothing to sleep on. It was full of rats and cockroaches.
"He was tortured. He was hung upside down. He has been forced to confess things he has not done, for example burning the Koran. He has not done that, but even if he would have - this is not a crime to be executed for. It is absolutely arbitrary."
Mehdi was sentenced to death on January 1, just a few days before turning 19. The family were told that he would be executed in 20 days.
The relative, who left Iran to come to study in Nottingham said her family back in her homeland cannot talk to anyone about their ordeal. They added: "If you damage an empty kiosk without hurting anyone, it is vandalism. You have to pay fines and maybe go to prison for it - but not execution.
"It is simply because he protested against the government. And they [the Iranian government] are trying to scare people off the streets. They are executing them to create fear among people. This is absolutely real. This is no joke."
Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested since demonstrations began in September over the death of Mahsa Amini, according to reports. There are four men known to have been executed since the protests began.
The family member added: "They have injured so many people, they killed so many people. I am here raising awareness because the people there will not come forward - my family, for example, are worried to talk about it. They have no mercy on anybody. It is absolutely terrifying."
They reached out to Ms Greenwood, who told the Commons on Thursday, January 13: "The cousin of one of my constituents is amongst those facing the death penalty in Iran, and I'd like to use this opportunity to say a little about him and to ask the minister to do all he can to support my constituent and her family.
"Mehdi Mohammadi Fard is just 19 years old. It was his birthday last Thursday. He normally works in a salon as a hairstylist and a tattoo artist, his passion since he was a young teenager.
"Mehdi has suffered poor mental health in recent months for which he's been receiving treatment prior to what's happened, but three months ago Mehdi was amongst a group of young people involved in the protests. Ten days later he was arrested and imprisoned. Mehdi has been tortured, beaten, kept in solitary confinement in a rat-infested cell with nothing to lie on and nothing to eat for several days."
Ms Greenwood said the teenager had required hospital treatment for his injuries, which include a broken nose. She added: "Three weeks ago Mehdi was tried in court without legal representation.
"I've been told notes from his psychiatrist regarding his mental state were completely disregarded and he's been sentenced to death for 'corruption on Earth and war against God'. Whilst he does now have a lawyer and an appeal has been lodged, his family - both in Iran and here in the UK - are of course terrified for Mehdi and need our help.
"I ask the minister to do everything he can to support my constituent and to try to save the life of this young man, and I hope he will agree to meet with me and my constituent to discuss the case further and what the government can and will do to help him."
A spokesperson for Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "We are committed to tackling homelessness in Nottingham and are giving councils £366 million this year to help ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads.
"Nottingham has received over £1.5million through the Homelessness Prevention Grant and will receive a further £2.8m million over the next 2 years to prevent homelessness. We are also providing over £6m to Nottingham through the Rough Sleeping Initiative, to support those living on the streets.”
An FCDO spokesperson said: “The UK opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and we urge Iran to immediately halt executions and end this violence against its own people.”
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