Almost one year ago I started a petition to help save the life of 17-year-old Nazanin Fatehi in Iran who was sentenced to death by hanging after she stabbed one of three men who attempted to rape her and her 15-year-old niece. With 340 000 petition signatures from around the world and the help of the International Committee Against Execution we have engaged, Amnesty International, the UN, Canadian Parliament, the EU, and others, we have put pressure on the Iranian Officials to spare the life of this child.

On June 1st 2006, the Head of Judiciary Ayatollah Shahroudi announced a stay of execution and called for a complete new trial.

This trial took place on January 10th, 2007. The five judges that reviewed her case determined that the act was unintentional and was indeed a case of self-defence. As a result, Nazanin was exonerated from the charge of murder, however the court also ruled that disproportionate force was used by Nazanin while trying to defend herself and her niece. Accordingly, they have asked Nazanin to pay $35,000 USD compensation 'diyeh' (blood money) to receive a pardon from the family of the deceased before she can be released from prison.

Nazanin's lawyers intend to appeal the payment of restitution but since this appeal may take several months, they have requested bail so that Nazanin may be released from prison immediately. The court has set bail in the amount of 400,000,000 Rials (approx US$45,000).

At this point, because Nazanin's family is very poor and unable to make payment of the bail or blood money your generosity is urgently requested to secure Nazanin Fatehi's freedom as soon as possible.

To make a donation in the Nazanin Fatehi Trust fund please go to the Donations page at www.helpnazanin.com