Tag: Ghezel Hesar prison

Three Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Cells for Imminent Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Execution, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

Yesterday, November 4, three prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, previously sentenced to death for drug-related charges, were moved to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, sentenced earlier for drug-related offenses, was carried out as part of preparations for their execution. One of the three prisoners is an Afghan national. Further details, including the identities of these inmates, are being investigated by HRANA.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Four Prisoners Executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Abdullah Tajik, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Mohammad Jalali, moharebeh, Mostafa Gholamzadeh, Saman Anbari

At dawn on October 30, four prisoners were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Two of these individuals had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, while the other two were convicted of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) due to armed robbery.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, identified the executed prisoners as “Abdullah Tajik, an Afghan national, Mostafa Gholamzadeh, Mohammad Jalali, and Saman Anbari.” According to HRANA, Mr. Tajik and Mr. Gholamzadeh were sentenced for drug-related offenses, while Mr. Jalali and Mr. Anbari were convicted of moharebeh for their involvement in armed robbery.

Earlier, on Monday, HRANA reported that eight prisoners had been moved to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison, all of whom were facing death sentences on drug-related charges. Except for Abdullah Tajik and Mostafa Gholamzadeh, the remaining prisoners were subsequently returned to the general ward.

As of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced these executions.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Eight Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Imminent Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

Yesterday, October 28, eight prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges, were moved to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, these prisoners were transferred to solitary as part of the process to carry out their sentences. HRANA is actively investigating further details, including the identities of the prisoners, and will report as more information becomes available.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Death Sentences of Four Sunni Prisoners Finalized, Case Referred for Execution

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Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Abdolghani Shahbakhsh, Abdolrahim Ghanbarzehi Gorgij, armed rebellion, Eido Shahbakhsh, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Rahim Mirbaloch, Soleiman Shahbakhsh

The death sentences of four Sunni prisoners—Eido Shahbakhsh, Abdolghani Shahbakhsh, Abdolrahim Ghanbarzehi Gorgij (Rahim Mirbaloch), and Soleiman Shahbakhsh—have been confirmed by Branch 32 of the Supreme Court and referred to Branch 1 of the Tehran Security Prosecutor’s Office for execution. They are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

On February 4, 2024, Judge Mohammadreza Amuzad Khalili of Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced these men to death, accusing them of armed rebellion through membership in opposition groups and armed uprising against the regime. Their death sentences were later upheld by the Supreme Court following their appeal.

HRANA’s investigation into their case reveals significant rights violations during their imprisonment. The prisoners faced extreme pressure from security agencies, including denial of legal representation, prolonged solitary confinement, physical and psychological torture, and deprivation of basic rights such as family visits and phone calls.

Since 2012, following the initial arrests of Eido and Abdolghani Shahbakhsh, court hearings have been irregular. Despite initial acquittals by the Zahedan Revolutionary Court, objections by security agencies led to the re-arrest of the defendants in 2016 and continued prosecution.

A source close to Abdolrahim Ghanbarzehi’s family told HRANA that he was subjected to severe physical and psychological pressure during solitary confinement and was coerced into making confessions while in the IRGC’s Salman Detention Center in Zahedan, in violation of Article 38 of Iran’s Constitution and international anti-torture conventions.

A key issue in this case has been the frequent transfer of case files between courts in Zahedan and Tehran, causing delays and uncertainty for the defendants. Despite multiple requests for regular hearings and proper defense, initial acquittals were overturned due to pressure from security agencies, leading to their eventual death sentences.

With the Supreme Court now confirming their death sentences, the case has entered a critical phase, with the execution possibly imminent. The families of the prisoners maintain their innocence and argue that the judicial process has been fraught with serious human rights violations.

Saman Yasin Granted Medical Leave After 26 Months in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Ramin Safarnia, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin

Saman Seydi (Yasin), a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, was granted medical leave from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj today after posting bail.

His lawyer, Ramin Safarnia, announced: “Today, my client, Saman Yasin (Seydi), after enduring around 26 months in prison, was released on medical leave following the recommendation of a medical commission and with the judiciary’s approval, after posting a bail of 4 billion tomans.”

Saman Yasin (Seydi), a rap singer, was arrested by security forces in Tehran during the 2022 nationwide protests on October 2, 2022. He was later tried in the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion to commit crimes, and acting against national security,” and was sentenced to death. However, in December 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence, and the case was referred for retrial.

In May 2023, another of Yasin’s lawyers, Hossein Sartipi, reported that his client had been sentenced to five years of exile in one of the cities in Kerman Province.

In August, HRANA highlighted Mr. Seydi’s denial of adequate medical treatment while in prison. On August 2, 2023, Yasin, along with six other political prisoners, was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Ward 8 of Evin Prison. On September 3, 2023, he and 12 other prisoners were abruptly moved to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj without prior notice.

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Five Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Arman Nasirzadeh, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mohammad Koushki, Salam Baba-Khan Jafari

At dawn on October 23, five prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, following convictions for drug-related offenses, murder, and rape.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of two prisoners sentenced to death for drug-related charges: Salam Baba-Khan Jafari and Mohammad Koushki. The identities of two Afghan nationals, executed for murder and rape, are still under investigation.

Earlier this week, HRANA had reported that these four prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions. However, as of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not made formal announcements regarding the executions.

In a separate case, the Rokna news agency reported the execution of 33-year-old Arman Nasirzadeh, also in Ghezel Hesar Prison. According to Rokna, a long-standing dispute between Nasirzadeh and the victim, Akbar R., escalated, leading to the murder. Despite filing a complaint against Akbar R., Nasirzadeh eventually killed him. After the incident, Nasirzadeh surrendered to the police and was sentenced to death for premeditated murder.

Throughout the legal process, many individuals and authorities attempted to secure forgiveness from the victim’s family, even in the final moments before the execution. However, after Nasirzadeh spent 10 years in prison, the family of Akbar R. chose not to pardon him, resulting in the execution being carried out as planned.

According to HRANA’s latest annual report, between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed in Iran, marking a 23.06% increase compared to the same period last year. Four of these executions were carried out publicly, with many of the accused reportedly being denied fair trials.

Four Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

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Executions, News
Abdolbari Tajik, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Javid Ahmadkhani, Karaj, Pasha Pashto

At dawn today, October 16, the execution of four prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of three of the prisoners who were hanged this morning as “Abdolbari Tajik and Pasha Pashto, two Afghan nationals, and Javid Ahmadkhani.” The identity of the fourth executed prisoner is still under investigation by HRANA.

These prisoners, who had been previously sentenced to death for drug-related charges, were transferred to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison yesterday along with two other prisoners in preparation for their execution.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Six Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison for Execution

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

On October 15, six prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges were transferred to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj in preparation for their execution.

These prisoners had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, and the transfer was made to carry out their execution. HRANA is currently investigating further details, including the identities of the prisoners.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Execution of Seven Individuals in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ahmad Narooie, Arman Hedayati, Ghezel Hesar prison, Kamran Saghaie, Karaj, Mohammad Narooie

At dawn October 9, at least seven prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Among those executed were Ahmad Narooie, Mohammad Narooie, and Kamran Saghaie, who had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court for drug-related charges. Additionally, the Criminal Court sentenced two Afghan nationals to death for rape. The remaining two prisoners, who had been convicted of murder, included Arman Hedayati, whose identity was verified by HRANA.

Ahmad Narooie and Mohammad Narooie were from Sistan and Baluchestan, and Kamran Saghaie was from Khorramabad. The Narooie brothers were previously arrested in Tehran for possessing 25 kilograms of crystal meth and were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. Saghaie was arrested in Shahriar for trafficking 700 kilograms of morphine and later received a death sentence.

Details about other executed individuals, as reported by Etemad newspaper, are as follows:

According to Etemad, one of the two prisoners convicted of murder had killed his father in 2007 during a family dispute. Initially, he attempted to murder his 10-year-old niece to take revenge on his brother but ultimately killed his father. After his trial and sentencing, he was granted a temporary reprieve by the victim’s family but was executed once this period expired, as he failed to obtain their pardon.

The second individual was a man who, in 2021, killed his neighbor over a personal dispute and then burned the body. Despite attempts to obtain the victim’s family’s consent, he was executed after the failed negotiations.

Etemad also reported, without revealing the identities of the Afghan prisoners, that they were sentenced to death for a gang rape that took place in 2019 in western Tehran. The incident occurred when the victim, a woman, visited a villa and was assaulted by seven Afghan men. Six members of this group received death sentences, with two being executed last week and two others yesterday. The remaining two defendants are currently awaiting execution in prison.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Four Prisoners, Including a Juvenile Offender, Executed in Karaj and Zahedan

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Executions, News
Ahmad Narooie, Ghezel Hesar prison, Mehdi Brahooie, Mohammad Eshaq-Zahi, Saeed Safaie, Zahedan

Today, October 9, the death sentences of four prisoners, including a juvenile offender previously convicted of drug-related charges and murder, were carried out in Zahedan and Ghezel Hesar prisons in Karaj, accroding to Haal Vsh.

The identities of these hanged prisoners have been reported as follows: Ahmad Narooie, 33, and Mohammad Eshaq-Zahi, 31, both residents of Zahedan; Mehdi Brahooie, 21; and Saeed Safaie, approximately 55 years old, Kermanshah.

According to the report, Mehdi Brahooie was arrested in 2019 at the age of 17 on murder charges following a group altercation in Khash. After spending about two years in the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center, he was transferred to Zahedan Prison. He was eventually sentenced to death by the Juvenile Court of Sistan and Baluchestan Province and was moved to solitary confinement on Sunday, October 6, in preparation for his execution, which was carried out in Zahedan Prison.

Additionally, Narooie and Eshaq-Zahi were arrested in 2020 in Tehran, along with three others, in a joint case on drug-related charges. They were sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Saeed Safaie, a retired teacher, was also arrested on drug-related charges in 2018. The executions of these three individuals were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

At the time of this report’s publication, the prison authorities and responsible organizations have yet to officially announce the executions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.