ID :
209507
Mon, 09/26/2011 - 15:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/209507
The shortlink copeid
Lawyer of Freed US Nationals Rejects Abuse Claims
TEHRAN (FNA)- Lawyer of the two American nationals who were released by Iran last week categorically denied the accusations raised by the two against Tehran after their return to the US.
Speaking to FNA, Massoud Shafi'ee said that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal's claims about mistreatment of prisoners in Iran's prisons "are not true".
Shafi'ee underlined that the two had never been tortured, and said if they had been tortured or mistreated in prison they could have raised the issue during their hearing sessions.
He blasted the US nationals for their politically tainted claims, and stated, "If my clients contact me, as an Iranian national, I will definitely inform them of my protest at their baseless claims."
"Why have they made such allegations when their problem has been resolved and they have left the country?" the lawyer asked.
He reminded that similar accusations were raised by Sarah Shourd last year after she was released by Iran on bail. "But, Shourd later rejected the media reports about her remarks and said that her words have been misinterpreted."
Speaking at a press conference in New York hours after landing back on American soil following their release to Oman on Wednesday, the two US nationals accused Iran of using them as "hostages" in its power struggle with the West and claimed hearing the anguished cries of fellow inmates being beaten in Tehran's Evin prison.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement a day after the country's judiciary released the two US nationals on bail and said that after the completion of the judicial processing, the Islamic Republic of Iran released the other two on bail again due to Islamic kindness and affection and in order to show respect for the mediation efforts made by several world leaders, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and top authorities of several friendly states like Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Omani King Sultan Qaboos as well as a number of religious figures, who have all requested their freedom.
Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border into Iran from the mountains of Northern Iraq's Kurdistan region which hosts the main hideouts of the anti-Iran terrorist group, PJAK, as well as the PKK which is in war with Turkey.
They were later charged with espionage after Tehran prosecutor's office announced that it possessed "compelling evidence" indicating that the three Americans were cooperating with US intelligence agencies.
Iran released Shourd on a bail of $500,000 in September 2010, 14 months after her arrest. The decision was taken due to the detainee's health condition.
Speaking to FNA, Massoud Shafi'ee said that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal's claims about mistreatment of prisoners in Iran's prisons "are not true".
Shafi'ee underlined that the two had never been tortured, and said if they had been tortured or mistreated in prison they could have raised the issue during their hearing sessions.
He blasted the US nationals for their politically tainted claims, and stated, "If my clients contact me, as an Iranian national, I will definitely inform them of my protest at their baseless claims."
"Why have they made such allegations when their problem has been resolved and they have left the country?" the lawyer asked.
He reminded that similar accusations were raised by Sarah Shourd last year after she was released by Iran on bail. "But, Shourd later rejected the media reports about her remarks and said that her words have been misinterpreted."
Speaking at a press conference in New York hours after landing back on American soil following their release to Oman on Wednesday, the two US nationals accused Iran of using them as "hostages" in its power struggle with the West and claimed hearing the anguished cries of fellow inmates being beaten in Tehran's Evin prison.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement a day after the country's judiciary released the two US nationals on bail and said that after the completion of the judicial processing, the Islamic Republic of Iran released the other two on bail again due to Islamic kindness and affection and in order to show respect for the mediation efforts made by several world leaders, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and top authorities of several friendly states like Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Omani King Sultan Qaboos as well as a number of religious figures, who have all requested their freedom.
Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border into Iran from the mountains of Northern Iraq's Kurdistan region which hosts the main hideouts of the anti-Iran terrorist group, PJAK, as well as the PKK which is in war with Turkey.
They were later charged with espionage after Tehran prosecutor's office announced that it possessed "compelling evidence" indicating that the three Americans were cooperating with US intelligence agencies.
Iran released Shourd on a bail of $500,000 in September 2010, 14 months after her arrest. The decision was taken due to the detainee's health condition.
