Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - According to the parliamentary group, around 35 SPD deputies in the Düsseldorf state parliament have each taken on a "political sponsorship" for a prisoner in Iran. For example, MPs send regular letters to the Iranian ambassador demanding the release of the prisoner. Among others, the Vice President of the State Parliament, Berivan Aymaz, has taken on a political sponsorship for the Greens. The other fractions were initially unable to provide any conclusive information.
SPD faction leader Thomas Kutschaty has taken over the sponsorship for the Iranian Hojat Mirzai. In a letter to the Iranian ambassador, which the dpa has seen, Kuchaty writes about the 22-year-old: "I would have liked to have contacted him personally, but like his family, I have no information about him or his condition." In his letter, Kuchaty demands that Mirzai be "released immediately."
The SPD politician said about the godfather campaign, in which politicians from almost all parliamentary groups are also taking part in the Bundestag: "We now need maximum attention to protect the lives of the prisoners." Green politician Aymaz emphasized: "Through this international public support, including in social media, but also through letters to the Iranian embassy, we hope for protection and justice for those affected."
As vice-president of the state parliament, she promotes the assumption of political sponsorships, says Aymaz. She herself has taken on the sponsorship of the author, musician and documentary filmmaker Mojgan Kavoosi, who was arrested in Iran on September 22nd and who is threatened with the death penalty.
