Habibollah Latifi’s Family Arrested; Concern Over Impending Execution

Following news of postponement of Habibollah Latifi’s execution, an informed source in Sanandaj told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that several members of the prisoner of conscience’s family were arrested by security forces on Saturday night. Additional information indicates that certain individuals who had accompanied the family in pursuing a halt to Latifi’s execution have also been arrested.

The source told the Campaign that Saleh Nikbakht, one of Latifi’s lawyers, has returned to Tehran. During the past few hours the Campaign has also received news of brutal force used during the arrests of Latifi family members.
Several sources close to the case told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that they are concerned the prisoner of conscience’s family were arrested in an effort to silence them while the execution is carried out. The authorities may not be pleased with the wave of publicity the family created around Latifi’s impending execution. Habibollah Latifi’s lawyers have not yet provided details about the postponement of his execution and next steps in his case.