Iranian Opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi is in grave danger of physical and psychological harm, as news of his complete isolation for the past 42 days emerged today, said the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. The Campaign called for his immediate release.

Atieh Taheri, wife of Azerbaijani journalist and civil activist Saeed Matinpour, spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran in an interview about her husband s health condition and situation in Evin Prison. Matinpour, 36, studied philosophy at Tehran University and wrote for Zanjan Weekly. He was active in human rights and ethnic minority rights causes and was arrested on 25 May 2007 for participating in a seminar in defense of Turkish-speaking citizens in Turkey. He was sentenced to eight years in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided by Judge Salavati, on charges of "contact with foreigners, and propagating against the regime." Describing Matinpour's situation, Taheri said:

In an interview published by Fars News Agency, an Iranian member of parliament (MP) supports the implementation of executions publicly. Nayereh Akhavan, an MP from Isfahan and a member of the Judicial Commission of Parliament, told Fars News: 'It seems carrying out such sentences may be effective in preventing certain crimes.' Human rights activists continue to express concern about the negative effects of public hangings on Iranian society.

Photojournalist Maryam Majd, who had been reported 'missing,' has been arrested, a source close to Majd family told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran on condition of anonymity. According to the source, Majd called home yesterday to inform her family of her whereabouts, but the family is under pressure not to talk to the media.