Iran: Lawsuit against Iranian government by photographers son

Stephan Hachemi of Quebec, Canada lost his mother Zahra Kazemi, a photographer who had dual citizenship in both Iran and Canada on July 10, 2003 to the Iranian Government. Kazemi was arrested June 23, 2003 for taking photographs out side of Evin prison during a protest. During her time detained she was beaten, tortured, and in the end murdered.

Stephan has tried to have his mother’s body exhumed and brought back to Canada. The family lawyer says that the judicial proceedings in Iran are a sham and that the Iranian government will not place blame on anyone person claiming he incident was"accidental". Stephan has since taken this issue to court; the Montreal court will hear his lawsuit against the Iranian government. The lawsuit is for “damages for the arrest, detention, torture and death of his mother” says reporters without borders. It is no surprise that Iran is considered “not free” by freedomhouse.org.

Craig Walker

Country: Iran