The Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal is proceeding according to a directive of the Qur’an: “Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment.” — Qur’an 5:33
It is unlikely in the extreme that a regime that styles itself as an Islamic Republic would ever dare to set aside such commands. But just as the West persists in its willful ignorance about Islamic teaching, so also now the Obama Administration continues to pretend that the Iranian regime is “moderate.”
“Freedom House Condemns Iran’s Hanging Of Renowned Poet,” from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, February 10:
Freedom House has condemned the execution in Iran of acclaimed poet and activist Hashem Shaabani.
The watchdog said Shaabani, 32, was put to death on January 27.
An Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal reportedly had sentenced the poet to death, along with 14 others, last July on charges that included “waging war on God.”
In a statement on February 5, Freedom House said Shaabani was subjected to severe torture and interrogation during his three years in prison.
It said his death illustrates that Iran continues its violent repression of ethnic minorities and that human rights have not improved under President Hassan Rohani’s rule.Shaabani was an Iranian of Arab origin and a founder of the Dialogue Institute, which promoted understanding of Arabic culture and literature in Iran.