Latest Update on the Case of Afsaneh Norouzi - 2003-11-27

The defense attorney for Afsaneh Norouzi expressed the possibility that the victim's family may announce their consent regarding the case, stating that no action has yet been taken for a retrial of Afsaneh Norouzi's case. Abdolsamad Khormashahi, Afsaneh Norouzi's defense lawyer, told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA): "In my last contact with the execution of sentences department and the relevant judge, it was stated that no letter from the judiciary regarding a retrial has been received yet." Afsaneh Norouzi (32 years old) is accused of fatally stabbing Behrouz Moghaddam (the commander of the information protection of the police force on Kish Island) in the summer of 1997. Ms. Norouzi claims that the deceased intended to assault her, and she committed the murder in self-defense. Mr. Khormashahi further referred to the Iranian judiciary chief's order for a review of Afsaneh Norouzi's case, adding: "According to the announced order, this case is currently out of the execution phase and is awaiting retrial." He also considered the victim's family's consent in this case to be likely, stating: "The victim's heirs were supposed to pay for the execution of the sentence regarding the minors' share, but no action has been taken in this regard to date, and it is not unlikely that the victim's family may decide to withdraw their complaint."