GLOBALPEACE&JUSTICE AUCKLAND
Private Bag 68905, Newton,Auckland. www.gpja.org.nz

7 November 2007

Media Release:
And then there were none…
Amir Mohebbi free at last!!!!!!!!

GPJA are delighted at the release from Mount Eden Prison of Amir Mohebbi - the last and longest detained of the Iranians in Mt Eden Prison. He was released after his application for bail in the High Court (heard on 23 August) was successful. The New Zealand government opposed his release.

Amir was the longest-detained remand prisoner in the history of New Zealand. He was released on the evening of 4th November 2007 after being detained on 20 January 2004. He was just two months short of 4 years incarceration.

Amir was detained for refusing to agree to be deported to Iran despite the fact that as a catholic convert it is unsafe for him to be returned to Iran. His catholic priest Fr Terry Dibble is delighted as is Amir's family.

He has a New Zealand partner Maryam and three kiwi children - Monica (7), Milad (5) and Merila (3) - who are delighted to have their dad home.

GPJA has called for the government to allow these Iranians to remain in New Zealand on humanitarian grounds and issue them with visas until it is safe for them to return to Iran. This is the situation in other countries such as Australia, Canada and the UK.

Groups such as Amnesty International support this position.

ENDS

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