Canadian Resident Sentenced to Death In Iran

An Iranian-born Canadian has been found guilty of “internet offences” for his part in designing a program used in an adult website.

Saeed Malekpour was arrested in 2008 when he returned to Iran to visit his ailing father. According to a website set up by his supporters, Malekpour was sentenced to death on Saturday after being convicted of “internet offences,” “agitating against the regime,” and “insulting the sanctity of Islam.” Malekpour said that he had no idea the program he designed would be used in an adult website, and that he has been beaten and tortured in prison. His supporters say his lawyer was told by the sentencing judge that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard pressured him into sentencing Malekpour to death. Malekpour, who is 35, became a permanent Canadian resident in 2004.