“My Child Is Innocent! He Confessed To A Crime He Did Not Commit,” says Haddadi’s Father

Mohammad Reza Haddadi, who has been sentenced to death for a crime he allegedly committed when he was 15 years old, may be imminently executed. In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Mohammad Reza Haddadi’s father said:

“Mohammad Reza was hung from a tree inside the police station from 12:00 noon until 12:00 midnight, while they beat him with a cable to confess to a crime he had not committed. I am an illiterate man. I have 14 children whom I have raised with hard labor and construction work. I don’t have any friends in high places, I don’t know what to do, but I have a God in whose greatness I have no doubt. He knows that my child is innocent. He did this stupid act due to poverty and destitute. The Judiciary wants to kill my child without cause. My child was only 15 years old. The Judiciary has issued an unfair ruling. I request that the Judiciary annul this ruling. This is the fourth time they are saying they are going to hang Mohammad Reza.”

Mohammad Reza Haddadi’s stepmother said: “In the  summons form for his father it says:

Charge: Voluntary Manslaughter;
Attendance Location: Adelabad Prison;
Purpose: Last meeting with the suspect, Mohammad Reza Haddadi, for implementation of Qisas ruling;
Time of Attendance: Three days after viewing, 4 July 2010”

Mohammad Reza Haddadi’s mother said her daughter put herself on fire when she heard of Mohammad Reza’s imminent execution the first time. “We were having breakfast. Someone came from the Prison and said: ‘Mohammad Reza’s sentence is about to be carried out.’ My daughter picked up the heater kerosene, poured it over her head and set herself on fire. We dropped a blanket over her head. Our street is too narrow and cars cannot enter it. We used a cart to get her to the hospital. I have had three heart attacks so far. Mohammad Reza’s father left us 15 years ago and has married twice more. He has not divorced any of his wives. I raised eight children by working as a maid. One of my sons is paralyzed in one arm and one leg. I only raise my hands to seek help from God,” she said.

Mohammad Reza’s sister, Mahboubeh, who attempted suicide after seeing the notice of Mohammad Reza’s imminent execution said: “After I got married, I found out that my husband had another wife and eight children. I divorced then and returned to my mother’s house with my daughter. [The prospect of] losing Mohammad Reza really upset me; I didn’t think of my own daughter, I set myself on fire. My only wish is to give up our rundown home for Mohammad Reza’s return to us,” said Mahboubeh Haddadi.