IRAN: DUTCH-IRANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST SENTENCED TO DEATH IN IRAN

Dutch-Iranian human rights activist Abdullah al-Mansouri was allegedly sentenced to death in Iran and may be executed within 48 hours, reports said. A Syrian human rights organisation had informed Mansouri's son Adnan al-Mansouri about his father's plight. The Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs could not confirm the information. Mansouri was born in Iran, but was granted Dutch citizenship after fleeing to the Netherlands as a political refugee. The human rights activist has been involved with the civil rights of minorities in Iran. He received royal distinction for his work from Dutch Queen Beatrix. Iran, however, claims Mansouri has been involved in terrorist activities. He was arrested 18 months ago during a trip to Syria and authorities subsequently extradited him to Iran, where he has allegedly been tortured. His son says he expects his father will be forced to confess to certain crimes on Iranian national television prior to his execution.