Iranian Raelian leader blackmailed by Iranian government

MONTREAL , Dec. 1 /CNW Telbec/ - The family of Negar Azizmoradi, the Iranian Raelian leader currently confined to an Istanbul deportation center, was contacted twice by Iranian Government officials over the weekend in an effort to suppress public awareness of her case, according to Brigitte Boisselier, spokesperson for the International Raelian Movement (IRM).

As reported in the BBC news and elsewhere over the last several days, Azizmoradi fled Iran and entered Turkey when it became clear her life was in danger for openly stating atheistic views in Iran .

"She had publicly declared there is no god and expressed her Raelian belief that all life on Earth, including humans, was created through advanced genetic engineering by the Elohim, the advanced extraterrestrial scientists mistaken for gods by our ancestors," Boisselier explained. "Now that the word is out that saying such things in Iran can lead to a death sentence, the authorities there are asking Negar's family to counter the negative image of Iran that their own policies created.

"According to our source, the family has been told that Negar must cease all media activity to keep her family and Raelian friends from having problems. They even asked Negar's father to do an interview with an Iranian Web site. In the interview, he was supposed to say that Negar never had a problem linked to expressing her beliefs in Iran ."

Boisselier said Azizmoradi showed great courage in insisting on her right to exercise religious freedom under difficult conditions.

"She has always been very positive about her situation in Iran and convinced that she can bring hope to her Iranian fellows," she said.

Neverthess, in December 2008 , Azizmoradi sent the following letter to Raelian International headquarters:

    
    Hello friends:

    This is Negar from Iran.

    I wanted to let you know that the information service came to our room
    and got my laptop, hard disk, and many CDs and DVDs. They called me
    somewhere and I was questioned. They have both of my addresses right now.
    Anyway, they had them before, because I have been watched for a long
    time. They know everything about me and they called me to go somewhere
    else today. I wanted you to be aware of that and take care of everything.
    Please remove my access to our Intranet services.
    I'm in a cafe net now and I don't know what may happen to me.
    I love you all and send you many hugs and kisses.

    In harmony with infinity,

    Negar
    

"Since writing that letter, Negar's situation worsened to the point where she had to leave her family and flee her country," Boisselier said. "This new Iranian government threat over the weekend is just more proof that she was right to flee and that she really needs to be granted asylum status. If she's deported back to Iran , she will face torture and the risk of being sentenced to the death penalty."

Boisselier said the International Organization of Iranian Refugees (IOIR) has joined the International Raelian Movement's efforts to prevent Azizmoradi's deportation to Iran . [To see the letter sent to the UHCNR, click the following link: http://files.newswire.ca/839/Imminent_Deportation.pdf ]

In addition, Raelians and others sympathetic to Azizmoradi's plight will hold demonstrations in front of many Turkish Embassies early next week.

Raelians and all of Negar's friends in Canada will gather in front of the Turkish Embassy in Ottawa (197 Wurtemburg Street) at 11:30 a.m. , on December 3rd , and will deliver their plea for Negar Aziz Moradi to be free and granted asylum to one of the many countries where fellow Raelians are ready to welcome her.

For further information: or interview: Stella [phone]