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The Accused: "A.A."


The mass trials of government critics accused of crimes against the state continued in Tehran on September 14.
The mass trials of government critics accused of crimes against the state continued in Tehran on September 14.
Blogger Saze Mokhalef (Opposed Musical Instrument) writes about a friend who was arrested in the wake of the election and seemingly forced into a confession in the ongoing trial of reformists, intellectuals, and others over postelection unrest.

All those who studied electrical engineering at Elm-o Sanaat University between 1995 and 2000 or lived in the dormitories during the same period remember Amir Aslani, a young guy with a distinct Isfahani accent. He had received his bachelor's as well as his master's degree from Elm-o Sanaat University and set up his own company. He had become successful. He had earned the franchises for the sale and servicing of some kind of software for the electrical engineering sector, in Iran and then in the Middle East. Since the expansion of his business to the entire Middle East, he's been a traveler for the past two years.

This man could work! You'd be amazed. He used to get no more than five hours' sleep each night, and would pursue his work with great interest and willpower the rest of the time. He is among the hardest-working and most brilliant of youngsters, an example for the rest of us. He hadn't received any financial help [from his parents] nor did he have any connections. He's a self-made, hardworking young man who pursued his studies with great interest and later set up a company and expanded it gradually.

Amir and his wife are close friends of mine and Nastaran's. One of our typical arguments concerned his interminable advice to me about letting go of politics. And now, such a man has been dragged into the courtroom for most likely making a forced confession about his involvement in the so-called 'velvet revolution.' There are those who ran away from politics but politics wouldn't let them go.

About a month and a half ago, [security forces] raided his office, taking with them -- along with Amir and his wife and coworkers -- numerous documents, computers, company files, personal documents, and cash; they placed Amir under arrest. We didn't hear from him for a few days, aware only that he was in the custody of the special department of Internet crimes within Tehran's prosecutors' office. In recent weeks, he called home a few times and spoke to his wife and mother. Interestingly, from behind prison walls, he was concerned about his work, his company, and the paychecks of his team. He told them that they were going to record his confessions and that he had been practicing.

These people didn't have the slightest interest in politics, and neither did they get involved in the election. Let's assume he sent a couple of e-mails to people telling them to plug their irons. (Editor's note: Vote critics urged people to use appliances like irons at a specified time to try to create a blackout.) Is that a crime?

Aren't you ashamed of yourself and your pathetic judiciary?!!

About This Blog

Persian Letters is a blog that offers a window into Iranian politics and society. Written primarily by Golnaz Esfandiari, Persian Letters brings you under-reported stories, insight and analysis, as well as guest Iranian bloggers -- from clerics, anarchists, feminists, Basij members, to bus drivers.

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