Saeed Hamadi Extradited to Iran

Unconfirmed reports out of Damascus inform us that Ahwazi activist and refugee Saeed Hamadi, arrested by Syrian security officials on 5 March 2008 as he was about to depart for resettlement to Denmark, was extradited to Iran this week. His current location and condition are unknown at this time. Typically following extradition, however, Ahwazi Arab activists are transferred to Ahwaz for interrogation and torture, then jailed with other political prisoners where they live under threat of execution. We hope for Saeed's sake that this will not be the case and that the news of his extradition is a mistake. Certainly, it is incomprehensible that Syria would betray its Arab brothers in such a reprehensible way. We call upon the world community to express its outrage and horror, and support Saeed's immediate release and safe transfer to Denmark. Our thoughts and prayers are with Saeed, and we stand beside him in support of safe refuge, protection from persecution, and basic human rights for all Ahwazi Arabs.