Man Sentenced to Death in Tehran Under Qisas (Eye-for-an-Eye) Principle of Shariah Law

A man was recently sentenced to death in Tehran under the “Qisas” (loosely translated as eye-for-an-eye) principle of Shariah Law.

According HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Javaonline News, a defendant was sentenced to death on a charge of murder by the criminal court in Tehran province.

The victim’s wife, who orchestrated the killing, was also sentenced to a prison time of 15 years.

According to international organizations, Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per-capita. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) reported that between January 1st and  December 20th of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed. One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

Shaker Behrouz on a Hunger Strike in Urmia Prison

Political prisoner Shaker Behrouz has been on a hunger strike since June 13 in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Behrouz’s hunger strike is in protest of his unjust death sentence and long-term detention in solitary confinement.

Behrouz became a member of one of the Iranian Kurdish opposition parties located in Iraq in 2018, but later that year, he got a safe-conduct letter and returned to Iran.

32-year-old Behrouz was first arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in March 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison for membership in an opposition party (KDP).

Later, Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ali Sheikh Lou, further sentenced Mr. Behrouz to death on charges of armed rebellion through membership in an opposition party and the murder of a member of the Revolutionary Guards.

12 separate people testified that at the time of the murder, Behrouz was in a shop in Dizaj town of Urmia city, nowhere near the scene of the crime. However, the court refused to hear the witnesses’ statements and convicted him anyway.

An informed source additionally told HRANA that the victim’s family has stated they did not file a lawsuit against Mr. Behrouz and believe in his innocence. They are even willing to testify in court to that end.

Shaker Behrouz is the son of Salim, and a resident of the Dizaj region of Urmia city in West Azerbaijan Province.

Citizen Sentenced to Death under Qisas (Eye-for-an-Eye) Principle of Shariah Law

A citizen was recently sentenced to death under the Qisas (roughly translated as eye-for-an-eye) principle of Shariah Law.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the citizen was sentenced after confessing to the murder of two park rangers in Zanjan.

Hossein Absalan, Director-General of the Department of Environmental in Zanjan Province, said, “The accused in the murder of two park rangers has been sentenced to death by a verdict issued by the judge.”

Absalan further stated, “Based on the evidence, according to the Iranian Police Criminal Investigation Department of Zanjan, given the explicit confession of the arrested defendant to the murder of the two rangers, the judge has sentenced the defendant to death under Qisas.”

Ali Arjangi, a Juvenile Offender on Death Row, Attempted Suicide in Ardabil Prison

On Saturday, June 12, Ali Arjangifard ghujeh Beiglou, a juvenile offender on death row, attempted suicide in Ardabil Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights (IHR), prison officials transferred him to the nearest hospital in Ardabil after the attempt. Beiglou is currently in critical condition in Fatemi hospital.

An informed source said, “Ali Arjangi attempted suicide by cutting part of his neck veins with the motive of ending his life before the execution.”

Ali Arjangi was arrested at the age of 17 on murder charges and has been held in the youth prison of Ardabil Central Prison since.

He was previously sentenced to death by Branch 3 of the Special Juvenile Court for murder, and the sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. The verdict is said to have been issued following a forensic examination confirming his mental development.

According to the HRANA annual report for the year 2020, at least 4 juvenile offenders were executed in Iran last year, and 2 other juvenile offenders have been sentenced to death.

Prisoner Dies After Urmia Officials Refuse to Transfer him to Hospital in the Aftermath of a Heart Attack

On Saturday, June 12, an inmate who was on death row in Urmia Prison died after prison officials refused to send him to the hospital in the aftermath of a heart attack.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 55-year-old Shamsuddin Tatari suffered a heart attack at noon and died within the day after being denied the transfer.

Tatari was from the city of Salmas in the West Azerbaijan province. He was previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges and had been held in Urmia Prison for two years.

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Afkari Brothers Denied Medical Care Amidst Ongoing Torture in Adelabad Prison

Political prisoners Vahid and Habib Afkari have been denied medical care during their 9 month detention in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. During this time, they have been repeatedly beaten and tortured by prison officials attempting to force confessions related to their role in the 2018 nationwide protests.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the brothers are being held in the Ebrat ward, also known as the “closed ward” of the prison.

The inmates and their family repeatedly requested to be transferred to a political prison, but despite the prosecutor’s promise, authorities have thwarted all efforts to make the move happen. Saeed Afkari has commented on the condition of his imprisoned brothers.

“According to medical jurisprudence, my brother Habib suffered a broken toe, a non-welded wrist fracture, and a torn shoulder during his detention,” Saeed said. “My other brother Vahid suffered neck and arm injuries as a result of a suicide attempt in protest of physical and mental torture. They have been in solitary confinement for 279 days and have not been allowed treatment.”

In mid-September 2020, the two political prisoners were transferred to the Ebrat ward (closed ward), a detention center for prisoners deprived of phone contact. After nearly nine months, they are still being held in this ward of Adelabad prison in Shiraz.

Based on prison regulations and laws, definitive convicts should only be held in public wards under the supervision of the Prisoners’ Organization. According to the same by-laws, keeping the accused in detention should be permitted only with a written order from the judicial authorities. Thus, keeping Habib and Vahid Afkari outside the public ward of the prison without a written order is against the law.

Navid Afkari, Vahid Afkari, and Habib Afkari were arrested in connection with the nationwide protests in 2018.

Navid Afkari, an Iranian wrestler, was executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz in September 2020 despite serious ambiguities in the case and a worldwide wave of support for him. Vahid Afkari was sentenced to 54 years and 6 months in prison and 74 lashes, Habib Afkari to 27 years and 3 months in prison and 74 lashes.

 

 

Parliament Approves General Plan to Reward Individuals Sanctioned by “Hostile” Countries and Increase Punishment for Espionage

The general plan to increase the punishment of espionage was approved by Parliament. The plan will also extend  benefits to individuals sanctioned by countries deemed “hostile” by a designated committee.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency (ICANA), under the proposed plan, those who spy for “hostile” countries will be considered “corruptors on earth” and sentenced to execution.

The determination of whether the spying country is hostile or not will fall under the responsibility of a committee consisting of representatives of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, the NAJA Intelligence Organization, and the Ministry of Intelligence, headed by the representative of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

A member of the Parliamentary Judiciary Commission has stated that those who are on the list of sanctions of countries deemed hostile will be considered “self sacrificers” (a citizen classification most commonly reserved for veterans) and enjoy the attached rights and privileges.

Citizen Sentenced to Public Execution in Zahedan

A prisoner in Zahedan was recently sentenced to execution in public.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna News, the prisoner was arrested for the murder of his wife and two of his wife’s relatives in Zahedan.

The Public Prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province said, “A death sentence has been issued for an angry groom who killed a number of his wife’s family members, and if approved by the Supreme Court, he will be executed soon.”

Shahin Mirkhani Executed in Shirvan Prison

On May 30, Shahin Mirkhani was executed in Shirvan Prison in North Khorasan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights (IHR), 40-year-old Mirkhani, son of Rasoul, was previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

Per the report, an informed source said, “Shahin Mirkhani was sentenced to death for carrying 420 kilograms of crystal meth stimulant, and on Sunday was executed in the backyard of Shirvan Prison.”

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per-capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1st and  December 20th of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed. One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death.

According to the report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary. Human rights organizations call these “secret executions.”

At the time of writing, Mirkhani’s execution has not been reported by domestic media or officials in Iran.

Death Sentence Issued in Ilam

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna News, Ilam province police commander Delavar al-Qasi-mehr announced the issuance of a sentence for a defendant in Darreh Shahr in Ilam Province.

The commander said that this man, who is accused of killing several of his relatives, a conscripted soldier, and a law enforcement officer in 2020, was sentenced to death three times over by the First Branch of the Criminal Court of Ilam Province.