Iranian Kurd sentenced to death on charges of terrorism

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Human Rights Activists in Iran report that a Kurdish resident of Saqez, Iran was sentenced to death by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court. The man, Rashid Akhoknadi, was arrested in April of 2008 on charges of establishing a Kurdish militia in his area, armed attacks, kidnapping and attempted murder. Akhokandi’s family rejected the charges leveled against him, saying that his conviction was not based on facts. They also reported that Akhoknadi was denied of his right to legal defense during his interrogations and trial. According to them, Akhokandi’s arrest has nothing to do with his political activity for Kurds, but with a violent clash that occurred ten years ago between regime forces and Kurdish militias, in which Akhokandi’s relative was involved.