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As clock ticks toward another Trump presidency, federal death row prisoners appeal for clemency

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President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office is putting a spotlight on the U.S. penitentiary in Terre Haute, which houses federal death row. In Bloomington, a small community of death row spiritual advisors is struggling to support the prisoners to whom they minister.  Ross Martinie Eiler is a Mennonite, Episcopal lay minister and member of the Catholic Worker movement, which assists the homeless. And for the past three years, he’s served as a spiritual advisor for a man on federal death row.

Iran: Juvenile Offender on Death Row Ali Mahin-Torbani Released from Prison

Ali Mahin-Torabi (left), a juvenile offender on death row who has been imprisoned for 7 years, 7 months and 11 days, was released from prison on Wednesday 21 July 2010. According to RAHANA's reporter, Mohammad Mostafaei, the lawyer of Ali Mahin-Torabi has described the situation saying: "Today Ali will be able to see the blue sky of this city and walk freely on streets. Today he can breathe. Today is the day for Ali Mahin-Torabi, a teenager for whom a rope had shadowed his life for several years and captivated the best moments of his life. Today Ali will embrace his parents and sisters."

"Ali owes his life to several people. He owes it to a girl reporter who, 4 years ago, told Ali's story to me on the subway; she said Ali Mahin-Torabi has no one and needs help. Ali owes his life to his mother and father who were [praying] for their child's release every moment. He owes it to civil rights activists, artists, reporters, journalist, his relatives and everybody who prayed for him. Ali Mahin-Torabi has to treasure being alive and fulfill his duty to those who have [sought to obtain] his release by practicing good deeds," continued Mr. Mostafaei.

Ali Mahin Torabi was 16 years old when he was arrested on charge of stabbing Mazdak Khodaeian with a knife, leading to his death in the hospital due to severe bleeding. Ali confessed to having used the knife during all the judicial process, including the initial investigations and at the court in the presence of judges ruling the case. He had said "I took out the knife from my pocket and opened it; I even stepped back so that the victim would not be able to come close to me, but the crowd pushed him [towards me]. I didn't know what had happened until kids cried, saying he had been stabbed. Then I noticed he was bleeding." Ali also said that he had no intention for using the knife and committing a murder.

After the court of appeals was held, special inspectors of Ayatollah Shahroudi, head of the Judiciary, ruled the case out of attempted murder and referred the case to parallel court (branch 102 of Karaj General Court). The judge presiding the new court ruled that the murder resembled a manslaughter and thus, sentenced Ali Mahin-Torabi to paying diyya (blood money) as the monetary compensation to the victim's family.


Source: RAHANA, July 21, 2010

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