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Hitchhiker
Rear Admiral
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 3514
Location: Ontario, Canada
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 Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:15 pm Canadian tortured for days |
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| Quote: | Canadian tortured for days, says Iranian doctor
Last Updated Thu, 31 Mar 2005 19:42:09 EST
CBC News
OTTAWA - The massive injuries suffered by Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi while in Iranian custody were so disturbing to the doctor who examined her that he felt compelled to flee the country to expose what happened.
* INDEPTH: Kazemi, Zahra
Dr. Shahram Azam examined Zahra Kazemi at Tehran's Baghiattulah hospital .
"I am a physician who is sworn to save peoples' lives," said Dr. Shahram Azam, through an interpreter at a news conference in Ottawa Thursday. "When I saw with my own eyes someone who has been tortured, without any doubt it affected my mental state."
Azam was working at Tehran's Baghiattulah military hospital on June 27, 2003 when the dying woman was brought in on a stretcher, unconscious. The 54-year-old Iranian-born Kazemi had been arrested earlier that month while photographing a demonstration outside Tehran's Evin prison.
Azam, a former member of the country's security forces, said he was shocked by the extent of Kazemi's injuries.
"The signs and bruises that existed, they were not caused at one time ... some looked fresher than the others. It was obvious those injuries were inflicted over a few days," said Azam, who kept notes of his medical assessment.
While the Iranian government has since admitted she was beaten, officials say she died when she fainted and hit her head. An Iranian security agent was later charged but then acquitted of killing her.
Azam listed the injuries he discovered on Kazemi:
* A broken nose.
* A large bruise on the right side of her forehead extending to the side of her head.
* A bloody lump on the back of her head.
* Evidence of internal bleeding of the brain.
* A ruptured left ear drum.
* Deep, long scratches on the back of her neck and calves.
* Evidence of broken ribs.
* Bruises on her abdomen and on her knees.
* Evidence of flogging on her back.
* Broken fingers and nails missing.
* A smashed toe.
* Bruised and swollen feet, possibly the result of a flogging.
As a male doctor, he was not allowed to examine her genitals, but a female nurse who did told him of "brutal damage."
Azam said a neurosurgeon said a brain scan showed she had a skull fracture and extensive injuries to her brain tissue.
Doctors were unable to operate because her condition was too unstable. Kazemi had a respiratory arrest the next day and later died.
Kazeim's son vows to fight for compensation
Hazemi's son Stephan Hachemi said at Thursday's news conference that he remains resolute in seeking justice.
"I could have shown emotion during his testimony today and burst into tears, but I want to remain courageous," said Hachemi, adding that he had seen the doctor five months ago in Sweden and had thanked the Canadian government for accelerating the doctor's application for asylum.
Stephan Hachemi in Ottawa, Thursday.
Hachemi's lawyers say they want to fight for compensation from the Iranian government and for the case to be heard by the International Criminal Court of Justice. "I have been very, very frustrated by the position and attitude of the Canadian government," said Hachemi, who is hoping publicity surrounding the doctor's testimony will move the case forward.
Hachemi's lawyers say they have sent a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin calling for a meeting to work out what can be done now that they have medical proof of torture.
"This new evidence, while gruesome, reinforces our position," said Canada's foreign minister Pierre Pettigrew. "We will continue to put pressure on Iran to render justice." Pettigrew said he didn't think unilateral sanctions would work and said he would not recall Canada's ambassador in Iran.
Azam managed to flee his country after getting permission to seek medical help outside Iran for injuries suffered during the Iran-Iraq war. Instead, the doctor, his wife and his 12-year-old daughter fled to Sweden and applied for political asylum from there.
He and his family arrived in the country on Monday after being granted asylum by the Canadian government.
Azam brought several documents showing his credentials as a military officer and a physician, as well as papers illustrating that he worked at that hospital and was on duty the night Kazemi was brought in.
Copyright �2005 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved |
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/31/Dr.Azam050331.html
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:19 pm |
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Daaaaaaamn. 
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Captain Patrick
Commodore
Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 2421
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| Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:21 pm |
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terrible.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:22 pm |
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Tsss, as if it is not already unspeakable, the poor person was a woman!  
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Starbuck
faster...
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 8715
Location: between chaos and melody
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| Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:45 am |
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daaaaaaaaaaaaamn............... poor, poor thing.
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webtaz99
Commodore
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 1229
Location: The Other Side
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| Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:42 pm |
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[sarcasm]
It could have been worse. At least she didn't get sent to GITMO!
[/sarcasm]
I can't believe our government actually negotiates with that government.
-------signature-------
"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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Hitchhiker
Rear Admiral
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 3514
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Fri Apr 01, 2005 4:34 pm |
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The authorities aren't even letting her remains come back home (probably because that would be giving us more evidence). It's not like this is new, the Canadian government suspected such a case ever since Kazemi was arrested, it's just now that they have a first hand account. And it is disturbing . . .
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Lord Borg
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 11214
Location: Vulcan Capital City, Vulcan
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| Fri Apr 01, 2005 5:34 pm |
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Not letting her remains come home? jerks!!
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:34 pm |
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Wow. Scary. Horrifying. 
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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zero
Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005
Posts: 4566
Location: Texas
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| Sun Apr 03, 2005 1:58 am |
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oh god, I feel sick to my stoumach just reading that. People can be so sick sometimes.
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nadia
cookie
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 8560
Location: Australia
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| Fri Apr 08, 2005 8:41 am |
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That is just wrong people should know better!
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