Kamangir (Archer)

Dress for Sale on eBay for saving a Mother from Execution

Kamangir | April 20, 2008 | Category Features, Human Rights, Lead Story, Picture of the Day

Akram Mahdavi is another victim of unjust and unequal laws in a country where, for the most part, the legal system considers females only half human, and where women’s rights, as well as their cries for help are routinely and systematically ignored, trampled upon, and even ridiculed. The now 32 year old mother of a girl in her early teens is facing imminent execution for conspiracy to murder. According to court and other reliable sources, including Akram’s defense attorney, Mina Jafari, when Akram was 27 years old, she sought the assistance of a young male friend and conspired to murder her then 74 year old husband. Akram, who suffers from epilepsy among other ailments, had been forced to marry the substantially older man; her own father physically beat her into saying “I do” for a second time (read more)

To save Akram from imminent execution, the campaign needs to collect the equivalent of $60,000 as ransom. A Paypal account has been set up and bank drafts are accepted.

The campaign has also been given the red dress the Iranian soap opera actress Nazanin Boniadi, recently seen on Iron Man, wore on the red carpet at the Emmy Awards 2007. The item is for sale on eBay and all the proceeds will be used to pay off the ransom.

To donate on PayPal click on this button, for other methods of donation send me an email arash@kamangir.net. I will put you through to Akram’s lawyer and the organizers of the campaign.