Kurds blamed for terror attacks in Iran

The Iranian government has blamed a bomb explosion on December 1 in the city of Sanandaj – located in Iranian Kurdistan – on guerillas from the Party of Free Life of Iranian Kurdistan, or PJAK, according to Newsmax.com.

Sources in Iran, however, have indicated the bombing was carried out by agent provocateurs under orders from the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.

Calling the allegations, “an Iranian fabrication,” PJAK denied having any involvement with the explosion.

“PJAK does not carry out operations against civilians,” said Saif Badrakhan, a PJAK liaison representative in Washington, D.C. “Iran is behind this kind of operation to terrorize the Kurdish population.”

Sources in Iran said that Tehran plans to challenge Europe to expel or arrest PJAK leaders in the coming weeks. Iran’s main target is reportedly PJAK President Rahman Haj-Ahmadi, who has lived in Germany for 35 years and has German citizenship. Iran hopes to convince the European Union and United States to crack down on PJAK as part of an anti-terror campaign.

According to Ahmadi, PJAK is considered a threat by the Iranian government because of its plans to overthrow the clerical regime in favor of a secular government, and its support for equality between men and women.

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Amnesty International says detained Kurdish human rights defender at risk

Amnesty International says detained Kurdish human rights defender at risk
According to a press release from Amnesty International, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, head of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK), is being mistreated by authorities in prison, Scoop Independent News reported today.

Kabudvand has been detained since July in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. He reportedly said that he was being charged with “acting against national security,” “propaganda against the system” and “cooperating with groups opposed to the system,” although it is believed no formal accusations have been brought against him.

Suffering from high blood pressure, a skin disorder, and a kidney ailment, Kabudvand reportedly needs to be able to urinate frequently in order to prevent damage to his kidneys, according to the report. He has been told by authorities, however, that he needs to ask for formal permission in writing to use the toilet.

If three members of HROK turn themselves in, on the other hand, Kabudvand will be allowed access to a toilet whenever he needs it.

Amnesty International believes the treatment of Kabudvand is an attempt by the Iranian authorities to force board members of the HROK to present themselves to authorities, which may result in their arrest and eventual closing of the organization.

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