AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT PENDING CHILD OFFENDER EXECUTION IN IRAN

Amnesty International discovered that 18 year old Sina Paymard, who was sentenced to death in Iran for a crime committed when he was just 16 years old, may be executed within the next few hours. "It is extremely disturbing and morally indefensible that Iran would commit this act," said Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA executive director. "In addition, it would violate international law. We urge the Iranian government to halt this execution now." Sina Paymard, a musician, was nearly executed in September 2006 for murder. The family of the victim granted him a last-minute reprieve and asked for 150 million toumans (over $U.S. 160,000) as compensation. Sina's family, however, has not been able to raise the full amount.