The United States Government and the Arrest of Dr. Ghasem Shoaleh Saadi - 2003-03-13

The United States Government and the Arrest of Dr. Ghasem Shoaleh Saadi - 2003-03-13. Introduction: The discourse you read in this text reflects the official views of the United States Government. Ghasem Shoaleh Saadi, a prominent attorney, university professor, and former parliament member, was detained by Iranian authorities on February 24. According to Amnesty International, he has only been allowed to make a few short phone calls to family members. He spent six weeks in solitary confinement. He was not allowed to meet with his lawyer. He is being held without due legal process. Mr. Shoaleh Saadi was detained at Tehran Airport upon his return from France. He went to France on December 6, 2002, following the publication of an open letter to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran. In that letter, Professor Shoaleh Saadi questioned the legitimacy of Khamenei's government and criticized his policies. He claimed that Ayatollah Khamenei undermines efforts to establish democracy by repeatedly violating the resolutions of the Iranian parliament. Mr. Shoaleh Saadi, referring to the continued repression of political opponents by the regime of extremist Islamic clerics and the intimidation of the press, wrote to Khamenei: 'You have stubbornly opposed the reform movement in Iran since its inception.' Mr. Ghasem Shoaleh Saadi pointed out that due to an economy plagued by corruption and the government's expenditures, a vast majority of people live below the poverty line. He wrote that the wealth of the Iranian people is given to terrorism-supporting countries like Syria and Sudan and to terrorist groups like Hamas. Mr. Saadi reminded Khamenei of the discontent of a large segment of the Iranian population and many dissidents who favor improving relations with the United States. Mr. Shoaleh Saadi is one of an increasing number of Iranians who have been detained for criticizing the Islamic regime of Iran. In November 2002, a university professor named Hashem Aghajari was sentenced to death for calling for the end of the repressive Islamic government. This sentencing led thousands of protesters to take to the streets. The demonstrators were attacked by police and extremist Islamic thugs. Public outrage forced the government to arrange another trial for Aghajari. The extremist rulers of Iran, by arresting Ghasem Shoaleh Saadi and other political opponents, reveal not power or courage but their own weakness and fear. They are afraid to allow the people of Iran to express their opinions, but the Iranians will not remain silent.