German Political Activists Write to Freiburg Municipality Protesting Death Sentences; 'End the Sister City Relationship' with Isfahan

A number of political activists in Germany, coinciding with the issuance of death sentences for Tomaj Salehi and Mahmoud Mehrabi, two political prisoners, have called for an end to the 'sister city' relationship between Freiburg in Germany and Isfahan. In a letter addressed to 'Martin Horn', the mayor of Freiburg, they reminded him of the sister city agreement between Isfahan and Freiburg, and considering the issuance of death sentences in the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan and the imprisonment of these two protesters in the city's prisons, they described the continuation of this agreement as 'implying the mayor of Freiburg's support for these crimes among Iranian citizens.' The letter noted the issuance of death sentences in the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan for the two political prisoners and protesters, 'Tomaj Salehi and Mahmoud Mehrabi,' stating: 'Even if you say your engagement with Isfahan is purely cultural, the issuance of death sentences in this city and human rights violations can imply the mayor of Freiburg's support for these crimes among Iranian citizens.' Behrouz Asadi, a political activist, in an interview with Voice of America, referred to the sending of this letter and pressure on German politicians, saying: 'We ask politicians to use their influence and act on their responsibility as representatives of the people.' Asadi deemed 'seemingly cultural' collaborations between the two cities as worthless as long as this cultural exchange is under the supervision of the security institutions of the 'Islamic regime' and stated that this issue 'cannot create a good image of the mayor of Freiburg for Iranians and advocates of peace and freedom.' According to this human rights activist, in response to this letter, the Freiburg municipality also published a letter expressing its support for the condemnation of death sentences against the two Iranian protesters. The response from the Freiburg municipality stated: 'Mr. Horn can officially and publicly protest against the executions in Iran, especially the [issuance of the] death sentence for Mr. Tomaj Salehi and human rights activist Mr. Mahmoud Mehrabi.' The Freiburg municipality also stated that the mayor could write official letters to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the federal government and the German Foreign Ministry to take action to stop the executions and also take political support for Mahmoud Mehrabi, another political prisoner at risk of execution. The signing of the sister city agreement between these two cities dates back to 24 years ago. At that time, Mohammad Salavati, a retired professor from the University of Karlsruhe residing in Freiburg, asked the then mayor of Isfahan to announce this sister city agreement. After returning to Freiburg, he submitted the invitation from Mohammad Ali Javadi, the then mayor of Isfahan, to 'Rolf Bume', the then mayor of Freiburg. It is said that Bume, in the year 2000, along with several members of the city council and colleagues from the University of Freiburg, went to Isfahan and signed the sister city agreement between Freiburg and Isfahan. More than a hundred artists have expressed solidarity with Tomaj Salehi: His death sentence is an insult to justice. Peter Gabriel joined the campaign 'Free Tomaj Immediately.' Amnesty International: Cancel Tomaj Salehi's death sentence and release him 'unconditionally.' Yiwan Ri, Tomaj Salehi's political caretaker: The intensification of pressures on him is 'horrific.' A request for appeal to the Supreme Court; Tomaj Salehi's meeting with his family was conditioned on 'filming.' A statement from UN experts regarding Mahmoud Mehrabi's death sentence: These punishments are contrary to international laws.