Canadian man sues Iran for mother's prison death
source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/12/02/quebec-kazemi-iran-immunity.html
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The son of a slain Canadian-Iranian photojournalist will be in Quebec court Wednesday to sue his mother's home country for her violent 2003 death in a Tehran prison, in a civil case legal experts say will test Canada's immunity laws.
Stephan Kazemi is seeking $17 million in damages for the arrest, torture and killing of his mother, Zahra Kazemi, who died in 2003 while in custody in a Tehran prison.
No criminal charges have ever been laid in Kazemi's death, and Iran contends it can't be sued because it is protected by Canada's State Immunity Act.
But Kazemi says he's waited long enough for justice to be served in his mother's death.
"It's really about time," he told CBC News. "I think more and more people are attentive to this issue, and I believe my mother has succeeded to raise this matter."
Kazemi, 54, was arrested outside a Tehran prison in June 2003, as she was photographing relatives of detainees who were holding vigil outside the detention centre.
The Montreal resident was never formally charged with a crime. She died in prison less than a month after her arrest. Iranian authorities reported her death was accidental and caused by a stroke. But other reports suggested Kazemi showed physical signs of torture, severe beating, head trauma and rape prior to her death.
Legal observers say Kazemi has a strong argument for civil remedies given international laws and Canada's Charter of Rights.
More at link
Stephan Kazemi is seeking $17 million in damages for the arrest, torture and killing of his mother, Zahra Kazemi, who died in 2003 while in custody in a Tehran prison.
No criminal charges have ever been laid in Kazemi's death, and Iran contends it can't be sued because it is protected by Canada's State Immunity Act.
But Kazemi says he's waited long enough for justice to be served in his mother's death.
"It's really about time," he told CBC News. "I think more and more people are attentive to this issue, and I believe my mother has succeeded to raise this matter."
Kazemi, 54, was arrested outside a Tehran prison in June 2003, as she was photographing relatives of detainees who were holding vigil outside the detention centre.
The Montreal resident was never formally charged with a crime. She died in prison less than a month after her arrest. Iranian authorities reported her death was accidental and caused by a stroke. But other reports suggested Kazemi showed physical signs of torture, severe beating, head trauma and rape prior to her death.
Legal observers say Kazemi has a strong argument for civil remedies given international laws and Canada's Charter of Rights.
More at link
