Message from Amnesty Internation

Subj.:    LEBANON: UA UPDATE ON THE KILLING OF RAMZI 'IRANI 
Date:    21/05/2002 17:27:04 GMT Daylight Time    
From: eastmed@amnesty.org
To:    $eastmed@amnesty.org

PUBLIC : AI Index: MDE 18/007/2002 
Further information on UA 139/02 (MDE 18/006/2002, 10 May 2002) - Possible "disappearance"/Fear of torture
LEBANON:   Ramzi 'Irani (m), aged 35


Police found the decomposing body of Ramzi 'Irani bundled into the boot of his car on 20 May.
He had not been seen since 7 May. No one has claimed responsibility for his death, and it is not known why he was killed. Police had arrested and allegedly tortured him several times in the last 10 years in connection with his work as an activist for an unauthorized political movement, the Lebanese Forces.
His body has been moved to the American University Hospital in Beirut for postmortem examination.
Many thanks to all those who took action for Ramzi 'Irani. Please send a final round of appeals, in English, Arabic, French or your own language: - expressing grave concern at the killing of Ramzi 'Irani, and calling for a prompt and independent investigation;
- calling on the Lebanese authorities to take immediate measures to protect political activists, including members of the Lebanese Forces, in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution and the law, to ensure that they are not attacked, arbitrarily arrested or tortured as Ramzi 'Irani was.

APPEALS TO:
His Excellency President Emile Lahoud
Office of the President
Ba'abda Palace
Ba'abda, Beirut
Lebanon
Telegram: President Lahoud, Beirut, Lebanon
Fax:        + 961 1 425 393
Telex: 21000
Salutation: Your Excellency

His Excellency Samir Jisr
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Rue Sami Solh
Beirut
Lebanon
Fax:        + 961 1 611 142
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Judge 'Adnan 'Addoum
Prosecutor General
Palace of Justice
Beirut
Lebanon
Fax:  + 961 1 422 957
Salutation: Dear Judge 'Adnan 'Addoum

and to diplomatic representatives of Lebanon accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.