Ottawa, ON – Nine Conservative MPs have released the following statement, sponsoring 14 Iranians who have been illegally detained by the Islamic Republic of Iran and now risk torture and execution after demanding justice and freedom for Iranian women:
“Since the Iranian police murdered Jina Mahsa Amini on September 16th, 2022, the regime has continued to flagrantly violate human rights. This regime has terrorized the people of Iran for decades. We demand that they immediately release these Iranians:
“Melissa Lantsman, Member of Parliament for Thornhill, is sponsoring Hassan Firouzi, who was detained just 18 days after becoming a new father and has since suffered torture at the hands of the regime. He has been sentenced to death for his role in the Women Life Freedom protests.
“MP Lantsman has also sponsored Mahan Gachpazan, who was abducted by the regime’s secret police at his university and subsequently detained without cause. He is now at risk of suffering torture at the hands of the Iranian regime and other violations of his human rights.
“Karen Vecchio, Member of Parliament for Elgin—Middlesex—London, is sponsoring Mohana Kameli, who was abducted after being shot by the regime’s secret police and subsequently detained and taken to an unknown location.
“MP Vecchio has also sponsored Sepideh Ahmadkhani, sentenced to 74 lashes and a six-year prison term on the fabricated charges of ‘collusion against national security.’
“Michelle Ferreri, Member of Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha, will sponsor Shirin Marashi, who was detained by the regime’s secret police in connection with the protests. She has been charged with ‘enmity against God,’ which is punishable by death.
“MP Ferreri has also sponsored Zahra Seddighi, an LGBTQ+ activist who has been convicted of “corruption on earth” and “spreading Christianity.” She has been sentenced to death.
“Michael Cooper, Member of Parliament for St. Albert—Edmonton, has sponsored Ali Rakhshani Azad, who is only 16 years old and faces execution on the charge that he ‘waged war against God.’
“MP Cooper is also sponsoring Saman Yassi, a musician sentenced to death for the messages in his music.
“Anna Roberts, Member of Parliament for King-Vaughan is sponsoring Mehdi Mohammadifard who, at 19 years old, was sentenced to death twice by the Islamic Revolution Court for the crimes of ‘waging war against God.’
“MP Roberts is also sponsoring Faramarz Salehi. He is awaiting a verdict after being arrested for participating in a peaceful protest.
“Brad Redekopp, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon West is sponsoring Mahsa Mohammadi, a student arrested and sentenced to death for a critical tweet.
“MP Redekopp is also sponsoring Hamid Gharehassanloo, a radiologist sentenced to death for attending the funeral of a girl who was killed in a peaceful protest by the regime’s police.
“Tom Kmiec, Member of Parliament for Calgary Shepard, is sponsoring Mohammad Amin Akhlaghi, who was sentenced to death for his participation in a peaceful protest.
“MP Kmiec has also sponsored Amir Mohammad Jafari, who is 17 years old. He was arrested at his school and taken to prison where he was tortured. He faces 25 years in prison and exile for the crime of ‘corruption on earth.’
“Scot Davidson, Member of Parliament for York—Simcoe, is sponsoring Arshia Takdastan, who has just turned 18, and was charged with ‘corruption on earth’ after taking part in a protest. He has been sentenced to death.
“MP Davidson is also sponsoring Abolfazl Badiollah, a man arrested for participating in a peaceful protest. He is currently awaiting sentencing, but has been charged with crimes that can carry the death penalty.
“Pierre Paul-Hus, Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles, is sponsoring Ebrahim Narouei, a 25-year-old man arrested two years ago, taken to prison, and tortured. He has been sentenced to death.
“MP Paul-Hus is also sponsoring Meysam Mobarhan, arrested during a peaceful protest. He has been tortured and sentenced to death.
“We are sponsoring these young Iranians who have had their lives destroyed by an appalling and homicidal state, intent on denying the Iranian people their freedom.”