EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: ASA 11/12/90

Distr: UA/SC

14 November 1990

Further information on UA 168/90 (ASA 11/06/90, 1 May 1990) - Death Penalty

AFGHANISTAN:Seyed Hamza, son of Seyed Mahboob

President Najibullah's office has informed Amnesty International that Seyed Hamza was sentenced to death by a special court of national security on 20 April 1988 for "committing treacherous crime against homeland, joining the anti-state groups and committing hostile actions and smuggling arms into the territory of Afghanistan". His sentence, as is the case with all death sentences, has been sent to President Najibullah for approval, but the President's decision has not yet been announced. What follows is the text of this communication:

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Since sometimes we have been receiving numerous letters in an organized campaign about the situation of Said Hamza, thus we instructed the concerned authorities to provide us with the proper information. The following response has been submitted.

Said Hamza son of Said Mahboob famous by the name of Noor Ahamd with a pseudonym of Ahmed residing in Shahri-Now of Kabul accused of committing treacherous crime against homeland, joining the anti-state groups and committing hostile actions and smuggling arms into the territory of Afghanistan. In according to the verdict No. 4 dated 31.l.67 [20.4.1988] of special national security court "E" he has been sentenced to death penalty and the above verdict was made in regards to article 115 of the

constitution of the Republic and sent with letter No.886 dated 28.7.67 [20.10.1988] for approval to the President of the Republic, the final decision has not been announced yet.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: One further letter to President Najibullah:

- thanking him for the reply received from his office to your earlier appeal;

- urging that all death sentences, including Seyed Hamza's be commuted.

APPEALS TO:

President Najibullah

Office of the President

Kabul, Afghanistan

COPIES TO: Diplomatic representatives of Afghanistan in your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 26 December 1990.