Iran Aid victimised

After 15 years as a charity helping victims of repression in Iran, Iran Aid unexpectedly found itself under investigation by the Charity Commission earlier this year.

A Receiver was appointed following allegations that the charity's funds were used for political activities. The Receiver is from Price Waterhouse which has an associate firm in Iran whose senior partner is a former government minister with alleged intelligence links - a major concern for Iran Aid supporters.

On October 27th, the Receiver decided to shut the charity's office and transfer some of its records to his office. Concerned that details of beneficiaries and intermediaries in Iran could fall in to the hands of the Iranian regime thus endangering lives, Iran Aid supporters began a sit-in from October 28th. Why is Iran Aid being investigated at this time? Britain has long been keen to improve relations with Iran, but the regime has made any such improvement conditional on the suspension of Iran Aid's activities. On July 21st, in the first interview by a British minister to the Iranian news agency, Derek Fatchett, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, welcomed more constructive bilateral ties with Iran. Two days later Iran Aid's activities were suspended - after 15 years of operating!

The Iranian government welcomed the move. The "coincidence" has not been lost on many observers and has prompted an angry reaction from lawyers. Despite all the evidence of a politically motivated move, Iran Aid co-operated with the Commission which could provide no evidence for its allegations. Iran Aid is now challenging the freezing of its assets and activities in court.

Contact: BM Iran Aid Sit-in Support Committee, London WC1N 3XX. Tel 0171-419 5074

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