Category: Executions

Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaghoubi Executed

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Executions, News
executions in iran, Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoubi, Saleh Mirhashemi

Three defendants in the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case were executed today, May 19, 2023, for charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh), as reported by Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency.

Despite numerous errors and defects in the legal case, Branch 9 of the Iranian Supreme Court recently upheld their death sentences. The execution took place at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, disregarding both domestic and international calls to halt the executions. Yesterday, the families of the defendants were allowed brief visitations.

The death sentence was issued by Judge Morteza Barati, who has been involved in several human rights violations cases.

Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), the primary defendant, was sentenced to death for “Moharebeh through using a Colt gun,” “forming and running groups to act against national security,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also received ten years for “membership and collaboration with Monafeghin.”

Majid Kazemi (30) and Saeed Yaghoubi (37) were sentenced to death for “Moharebeh through using warm weapons” and ten years in prison for “forming and running groups to act against national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The fourth-row defendant, Amir Nasr Azadani, was sentenced to 16 years for “assisting in enmity against God,” five years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The fifth-row defendant, Soheid Jahangiri, was sentenced to two years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” The sixth-row defendant, Jaber Mirhashemi, was acquitted of all charges.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, about thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Three Inmates Executed in Khorramabad Prison

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Executions, News
Ali Khorramshah Amraie, Khorramabad Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 18, 2023, three inmates convicted of murder were executed in Khorramabad Prison.

HRANA has identified one of these inmates as Ali Khorramshah Amraie. HRANA is working to identify the remaining two executed inmates.

As of the time of writing, no official sources or media outlets within the country have reported on these executions

In recent weeks, the number of execution has been alarmingly raised. According to reports obtained by HRANA, at least 57 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons from April 28 to May 9, 2023.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Execution of Eight Inmates Carried Out in Multiple Prisons across Iran

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Executions, News
Bandar-Abbas, Fereydunkenar, Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Karaj, Minab

Eight inmates were recently executed in Karaj, Fereydunkenar, Minab and Bandar Abbas for murder and drug-related crimes.

According to HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency), two Afghan nationals who were found guilty of murder were executed on May 10, 2023, in Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj. HRANA is working on identifying these individuals.

Furthermore, IRNA reported the execution of an inmate in Fereydunkenar, Mazandaran Province, on May 15, 2023. This inmate had previously been convicted of murder for the tragic suffocation of his wife and child using carbon monoxide.

According to the Tasnim News Agency, on the same day, May 15, five inmates were executed in Minab and Bandar Abbas prisons for their alleged involvement in drug smuggling.

This concerning surge in executions has become a cause for alarm in recent weeks. HRANA has obtained reports indicating that between April 28 and May 9, 2023, a minimum of 57 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various prisons throughout Iran.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Eight Inmates Executed in Kerman and Khorramabad

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Executions, News
Amrollah Adish, Dehdasht, Kambiz Davarpanah, Kerman, Khorramabad

HRANA, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, reported on May 13, 2023, that six inmates in Kerman prison and two in Khorramabad prison were executed for drug-related crimes.

HRANA has identified two of the six inmates executed in Kerman prison as Kambiz Davarpanah and Amrollah (Shamal) Adish, both coming from Dehdasht.

According to an informed source who spoke to HRANA, Davarpanah had been sentenced to death five years ago, and his body has not yet been returned to his family.
On the same day, Khorramabad Prison officials carried out the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related crimes.
HRANA is working on identifying these executed inmates.

At the time of writing, none of the official sources or media outlets in the country has reported these executions.

The alarming trend of executions has been increasing in recent weeks. According to reports obtained by HRANA, at least 57 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons from April 28 to May 9, 2023.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

Inmate Executed in Kermanshah

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Executions, News
executions in iran, Kermanshah, Saber Payamian

On May 10, 2023, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Dizelabad prison, Kermanshah.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on May 10, 2023, an inmate identified as Saber Payamian, age 34, was executed in Kermanshah.

He was reportedly sentenced to death for committing murder.

None of the official sources and media outlets inside the country have reported this execution at the time of writing.

In recent weeks, the number of execution has been alarmingly raised. At least 66 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons over the past thirteen days.

 

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Five Inmates Executed in Ghezel Hesar and Arak Prisons

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Arak prison, Babak Aghaye, bdolhossein Emami Moghadam, executions in iran, Ghezel Hesar, Hossein Panjak, HRANA

Five inmates were executed on May 10, 2023, with three of them executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj and two in Arak Prison. All five inmates had previously been convicted of drug-related crimes.

HRANA has identified the three inmates executed in Ghezel Hesar as Hossein Panjak, Abdolhossein Emami Moghadam, and Babak Aghaye. According to an informed source, they had been imprisoned for 17, 9, and 8 years, respectively. Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, claimed that these individuals were members of a “cocaine cartel known as Panjak.”

Currently, five death-row inmates are still being held in solitary confinement, awaiting imminent execution.

On the same day, two inmates, convicted of drug-related crimes, were executed in Arak Prison. HRANA is working to identify these inmates.

None of the official sources or media outlets inside the country have reported these executions at the time of writing.

This recent surge in executions is alarming, as at least 65 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons over the past twelve days.”

Three Inmates Executed in Rajai Shahr Prison

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Executions, News
Chief Volker TĂŒrk, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison

Three inmates were executed on May 10, 2023, in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. Two of the individuals had been convicted of murder, while the third had been convicted of rape. Their identities have not been disclosed.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on May 10, 2023, quoting Rokna, three inmates were executed in Rajai Shahr Prison.

One of the inmates was reportedly convicted of murder three years ago, while the second was involved in a fatal group fight in southern Tehran eight years ago. The third had previously been convicted of rape.

Yesterday, HRANA reported that death-row inmates in Rajai Shahr Prison had been relocated to solitary confinement, often an indication of imminent execution. This recent surge in executions is alarming, as at least 57 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons over the past eleven days.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker TĂŒrk has described this surge as “frightening” and urged Iranian authorities to halt all executions.”

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Iran’s Execution Rate Rises Alarmingly with At Least 57 Executions in Eleven Days

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Executions, News
Bandar-Abbas, Birjand, Execution in Iran, Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Karaj, Khorin, Salmas, Shiraz, Skylar Thompson, UN Human Rights Chief, Urmia, Volker TĂŒrk, Yazd, Zahedan

Over the past eleven days, at least 57 prisoners, including two women and two prisoners of conscience, have been executed in various Iranian prisons. The executions were for drug-related crimes, murder, “spreading corruption on earth,” and blasphemy. HRANA has compiled a statistical analysis of the details of the executions during this period.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, there has been a noticeable increase in the execution of prisoners in Iranian prisons from April 28 to May 9, 2023.

Based on the reports compiled by HRANA, the death sentences were carried out in several prisons, including Rajai Shahr (Karaj), Ghezel Hesar (Karaj), Urmia, Salmas, Ardabil, Dastgerd (Isfahan), Vakilabad (Mashhad), Neishabur, Torbat-e-Jam, Rasht, Yazd, Birjand, Qazvin, Minab, Bandar Abbas, Zahedan, Khorramabad, and Iranshahr.

Out of the 57 executed prisoners, 36 were convicted of drug-related charges, 17 for murder, two for insulting the Prophet of Islam, and one for alleged “spreading corruption on earth.” In one case the charges remain unknown.

At least 38 death-row prisoners were also transferred to solitary confinement in Salmas, Urmia, Khorin, Ghezel Hesar (Karaj), Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Birjand, Adelabad (Shiraz) and Zahedan, which could be a prelude to their execution. HRANA is investigating their fate, and the statistics presented in this report could increase.

As of the time of writing, most of these executions have not been announced by official sources or media inside Iran.

The issuance and execution of death sentences violate the right to live and have been heavily criticized by international organizations, with Iran ranking first globally in execution rate per capita.

On May 9, UN Human Rights Chief Volker TĂŒrk called these recent increases in executions “frightening” and urged Iranian authorities to halt all executions. “On average so far this year, over 10 people are put to death each week in Iran, making it one of the world’s highest executors,” said TĂŒrk.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports on the execution of 565 people and death sentences for 92 people, six of whom were sentenced to be hanged in public. Of these 565 executions, two death sentences were carried out in public, and five were juvenile offenders who were under 18 years old at the time of committing the alleged crime.

The breakdown of charges for these executions is as follows: 122 individuals were executed for drug-related offenses, 59 for murder, 6 for undisclosed charges, 1 for adultery, 1 for ideological charges, 1 for corruption, 1 for Moharebeh (political security), and 1 for non-political Moharebeh.

Skylar Thompson, the head of Global Advocacy and Accountability of Human Rights Activists, stated that “the surging rate of executions in Iran illustrates an utter disregard for human life. Under no circumstance does the ongoing use of the death penalty, for drug-related offenses in particular, amount to what is permittable under international law. Iranian authorities have an absolute obligation to uphold international human rights standards and instead, there is ongoing impunity for grave violations of the right to life–and more. The international community must not delay in sounding the alarm, they should call for a stay of executions for those currently facing execution and a moratorium on the death penalty, at a minimum, for crimes not amounting to “most serious” under international law.”

 

 

Ten Death-Row Prisoners at Risk of Imminent Execution in Rajai Shahr Prison

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child executions, HRANA, Imminent Execution, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Ten inmates on death row have been relocated to solitary confinement in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, indicating their imminent execution.

The charges of which they have been convicted are currently unknown, but many prisoners convicted of murder or armed robbery are held in this prison. HRANA is working to identify these inmates.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

It is important to note that Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce most executions, which are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Two Prisoners of Conscience Executed in Arak Prison

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Arak, Arak Revolutionary Court, HRANA, Quran, Seyed Sadrollah Fazeli Zare, Yousef Mehrad

On May 8, 2023, Yousef Mehrad and Seyed Sadrollah Fazeli Zare were executed in Arak Prison after being sentenced to death for insulting the Prophet of Islam. Earlier, HRANA had reported on their relocation to solitary confinement for one day which is deemed as a prelude to carrying out the death penalty.

According to Mizan, the judiciary’s news, Fazeli Zare had been accused of “insulting the Prophet of Islam, blasphemy, apostasy, accusing the Prophet of Islam’s mother of adultery, and burning the Quran”, while Mehrad was charged with “insulting the Prophet of Islam and blasphemy.”

The prisoners were among seven individuals arrested for running a Telegram channel named “Criticism of Superstition and Religion,” and had been held in solitary confinement for two months since their arrest.

In the first two parts of their legal case, the Arak Criminal Court sentenced Mehrad and Fazeli Zare to death for insulting the prophet of Islam. In the third part, the Arak Revolutionary Court sentenced Mehrad, Fazeli Zare, and another co-defendant, Farhad Chehrehsa, to eight years for “running groups to act national security.”
Despite an appeal by their lawyers to the Supreme Court, the verdict was upheld.

Mehrad was a resident of Ardabil and the father of a three-year-old child.