Fate Unclear Of Kurdish Iranian Juvenile Offender On Death Row

International human rights groups say the fate of a Kurdish Iranian juvenile offender who was due to be hanged on February 19 remains unclear.

The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and some Iranian news sites reported that Saman Naseem, who was sentenced to death on charges filed against him when he was 17 years old, had been executed.

But VOA reports that Naseem's family has dismissed the reports of his execution.

Amnesty International, which has campaigned to stop Naseem’s execution, says his fate and whereabouts remain unclear.

Amnesty International researcher Bahareh Davis told RFE/RL on February 20: “The family is going through something, which is very cruel and that’s basically staying in the dark and not knowing what has happened to him. For that reason, we need to ask authorities to disclose his fate.”

Naseem was convicted of being a member of the rebel Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) and on charges that he took part in armed confrontations agaisnt Iranian security forces.

Naseem had maintained his innocence, saying he was tortured into making a confession.