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By PAUL CHAVEZ, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, March 17, 2005
(03-17) 00:02 PST Los Angeles (AP) —
Four Iranian brothers detained for more than three years after their arrest
in an FBI terrorism probe were freed after U.S. immigration authorities
eased certain travel restrictions.
The Mirmehdi brothers ? Mohammed, Mostafa, Mohsen and Mojtaba ? had
rejected a release offer last month, claiming proposed travel limits and
other restrictions were unjust. The brothers were released Wednesday night
after the government revised its offer and reduced the restrictions, said
Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The brothers declined to sign documents outlining the conditions of their
release, but they nevertheless will be bound by the modified terms, Kice
said.
The brothers returned home to the San Fernando Valley and told The
Associated Press that they would try to resume their careers as real estate
agents.
“It was a great victory for us,” Mohsen Mirmehdi said by telephone. “After
3 1/2 years of going to this court and that court and proving to them that
we are innocent.”
The brothers can remain in the United States although two have been ordered
deported and the other pair are appealing such orders.
The brothers have been held since October 2001. Federal authorities alleged
they supported a Los Angeles-based cell of the Moujahedeen Khalk, or MEK,
which opposes Iran’s regime and is classified by the State Department as a
terrorist organization.
The brothers acknowledged attending protest events against Iran’s current
regime, but denied belonging to the MEK.
They never faced criminal charges. They were sent into detention to await
deportation for allegedly lying in the 1990s on their applications seeking
political asylum, and for their suspected ties to the MEK.
Last August, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled evidence tying the
brothers to terrorism was inconclusive. The board also upheld the decision
of two immigration judges who said the Mirmehdis would be tortured or
persecuted if returned to Iran. The board also agreed with the government
that the brothers did not qualify for political asylum.
“One thing is not in dispute. All four men are in this country illegally,”
Kice said.
Final deportation orders have been issued for Mostafa Mirmehdi, 45, and
Mojtaba Mirmehdi, 41, and they will be deported if a third country can be
found that will accept them, Kice said.
The brothers’ attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, said he doubts they will be
deported.
“I don’t think any other country will accept them,” he said. “Another
country won’t welcome someone into their country that the United States has
accused of being part of a terrorist organization, even though those
charges are baseless.”
The brothers will be allowed to travel freely within Los Angeles, Orange
and Ventura counties, but will need permission in advance to travel outside
that area, Kice said.
They also must report to immigration officials weekly by telephone and
every other week in person, Kice said.
The brothers’ release occurred less than two weeks after an altercation in
which the Mirmehdis allege that a guard beat Mohammed Mirmehdi after he
intervened in an argument between the guard and one of his brothers.
The allegation is under investigation, Kice said.
