Justice for Ashkan Goudarzi-Mohammadi!

Ashkan came to the UK because he feared that his life was in danger in Iran.

He graduated in 1998, but was expelled from his teaching post in 1999 because of his activities in the United Front of Iranian Nationalists (UFIN). He has a considerable amount of evidence to prove his membership of that group.

Ashkan's two younger brothers escaped from Iran in 1999 when the authorities found out about their political involvement with UFIN, but Ashkan stayed to look after his mother and his wife.
Ashkan's father was writing a book against the regime which he intended to send to the UK for publication, but one day, the Security Forces (ETELAT) searched the house and seized the book.
They took the family away for interrogation. Ashkan was held for two days and beaten. His father was released one month later.

In June 1999 his brothers persuaded Ashkan to continue their political work and they faxed him a UFIN membership form. He agreed to join, but told his brothers not to release his name on the internet for fear of recrimination.

For the next year, Ashkan distributed leaflets for UFIN and attended a student demonstration in Tehran. This was described in the Iranian media as a protest by stupid, illiterate trouble-makers.
In July 2000 Ashkan became second in charge of the Khoozistan Province, working under the direction of Dr. Sharpoor Radmard (who has since been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK). Ashkan worked for two years, organising meetings when it was safe to do so.
In July 2002 Dr. Radmard was attending meetings out of the country when he received news that his surgery and villa in Ahwaz had been raided by the authorities. Some of the UFIN members were arrested and the authorities went to Ashkan's home, looking for him. His parents were taken away for interrogation, but later released.

It had now become so dangerous that Ashkan went to the city of Tabriz (leaving his wife and child behind) where he stayed with friends who were members of UFIN. He eventually made his way to the Turkish border, but Turkey is not safe for asylum seekers, so he made his way to the UK.

His wife has since told him that the authorities continue to look for him, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Since coming to Middlesbrough, Ashkan has been able to practise his Christian faith and has been warmly welcomed into the church community. He meets regularly with other Iranian Christians.
Ashkan's life will be at risk if he is returned - please support his campaign to stay in Middlesbrough.

What you can do to help:
      A campaign to keep Ashkan in the UK has been set up, the campaign are asking you to write/fax to Beverley Hughes, Minister of State for Citizenship, Immigration and Community Cohesion, you can use the model letter attached copy/amend/write your own.
Beverley Hughes fax: 020 7273 2043 from outside the UK + 44 20 7273 2043

or write direct to:

Beverley Hughes
Minister of State for Citizenship, Immigration and Community Cohesion
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London
SW1H 9AT

Please send a copy of anything sent to the campaign.

The campaign have prepared model letters and petitions which they are asking people to sign and circulate to get as many signatures as possible.
Copies can be obtained from:

Justice for Ashkan Goudarzi-Mohammadi!
c/o NCADC
66 Dovecot Street
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1LL
Enquiries/further information;
Kath Sainsbury
01642 679298
ncadc-north-east@ncadc.org.uk