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Iranian Hijackers For Freedom

No, seriously.

Khaled Hardani was one of 11 members of an extended family who attempted to commandeer a scheduled flight between the southern Iranian cities of Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas, and force it to fly to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Security guards already on board ended the hijack attempt while the plane was still on the runway at Ahvaz, reportedly shooting Khaled Hardani in the process. The family were reportedly trying to escape the poverty and hopelessness they were experiencing as members of Iran's Arab minority. Khaled Hardani was sentenced to death, together with his brothers-in-law, Shahram and Farhang Pourmansouri, on charges of "acts against national security" (eqdam 'aleyhe amniyat) and "enmity against God" (Moharebeh) rather than charges relating specifically to hijacking an aircraft. At the time of the hijacking, the brothers were reportedly aged 17 and 18 respectively.

Hardani is now serving time in Raja'i prison, awaiting execution which is scheduled for July 4th, 2007. Various groups, including Amnesty International, and The International Committeee Against Execution, are calling for immediate action in the form of protests, petitions, and most of all, just getting the word out. Read more on this at Maryam Namazie's blog. (Also read about the new organization for which she is a spokesperson–an answer to the Muslim Council of Britain: The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, an offshoot of the Central Council in Germany.)

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