Assassination of Iranian Prosecutor Responsible for Human rights violations against Kurdish people

On Monday January 18th 2010 the head prosecutor Vali Haji Gholizadeh of the city of Khoy in Iran was assassinated. The Kurdish opposition group Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PEJAK) has taken responsibility for this assassination. In taking responsibility PEJAK has stated “Kurds will not accept defeat or oppression and they have the power to defend themselves”.

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Haji Gholizadeh was responsible for asking for very long jail terms and death sentences for Kurdish activists. He had asked for the death sentence for Fasih Yasamani a Kurdish activist who was executed on January 6th 2010. There is great concern from human rights activists and organizations that this assassination may lead to a further crack down on Kurdish activist and perhaps a new wave of executions of Kurdish political prisoners. One of the prisoners that may be in danger of immediate execution is Habibollah Latifi. Down with the Islamic Regime in Iran Long Live Freedom in Iran