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Human Rights Watch blasts Iran lawyer arrests

Iran Materials 27 July 2009 12:41 (UTC +04:00)

Human Rights Watch says authorities are arresting prominent human rights lawyers in Iran to stop them from representing detained protesters in the aftermath of June's disputed presidential election, reported AP.

The New York-based group detailed in a statement Sunday the arrests of several lawyers, saying others have been threatened and told not to talk to media - especially foreign outlets.

Joe Stork, deputy chief of HRW Mideast section, says Tehran seeks to "create an atmosphere of fear among all lawyers who agree to defend political prisoners."

Stork says detained protesters have been denied access to lawyers and are now "finding the lawyers imprisoned with them."

HRW has urged Iran to end its clampdown on opposition activists and release those detained.

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