Execution of Five Inmates in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan

Five Inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Shiraz, Isfahan, and Kashan Prisons.

According to Haal Vsh, on June 1, 2023, Aghil Arab, age 27, was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. On the same day, Nemat Arzani, 33, and Rasoul Sheikh Arpanahi, 27, were also executed in Kashan Prison.

Furthermore, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of two inmates in Adelabad Prison on May 24, 2023. The individuals have been identified as Ali Mohammad Zera’at, a father of a young child, and Esmaiel Nasiri.

All these executed prisoners have been convicted of drug-related crimes several years ago.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these 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.

 

 

Six Inmates Executed Across Different Prisons in Iran

Over the course of May 24 and 25, 2023, six inmates faced execution in various prisons located in Maragheh, Kerman, Jiroft, and Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on May 25, 2023, an inmate identified by his first name as Amir-Mehdi was executed publicly in a square in Maragheh, East Azerbaijan province. He was convicted of rape six years ago.

On the same day, Haal Vsh reported the executions of Nader Kalbali, 39, and Abdorasoul Jamshidi, 55, in Kerman Prison. Both individuals were sentenced to death for drug-related offenses.
Furthermore, Haal Vsh also reported that Mohammad Daraie, also known as Ahmad Golbacheh, aged 30 and a resident of Zahedan, was executed in Jiroft. Daraie had been convicted four years ago for drug-related crimes.

Lastly, according to the Iran Human Rights Organization, on May 24, Majid Jafari and Ali Tabib were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. Jafari had been sentenced to death two years ago for drug-related crimes, while Tabib had received a conviction for murder three years ago.

Recent updates reveal that the number of executed individuals in Kerman prison has now reached six. Among them, three have been identified as Nader Kalbali, Abdorasoul Jamshidi, and Ali Shahriari. Additionally, in Jiroft Prison, another inmate named Mehdi Salari was executed alongside Mohammad Daraie.

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.

 

 

Baha’i Enayatollah Naeimi Receives 15-Year Prison Sentence

Enayatollah Naeimi, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, with 10 years to be enforced, by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. He was also fined and subjected to social deprivation.

The verdict was issued by Judge Morteza Barai, who found Naeimi guilty of “forming groups to act against national security” for which he received 10 years, and “propaganda against the regime,” for which he received five years. The evidence presented for these charges included Naeimi’s involvement with the Baha’i group “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” as well as his association with Baha’i communities in Israel

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, Naeimi will serve 10 years in prison for the first charge.
Naeimi was arrested by security forces on September 28, 2022, and his house, workplace, and garden in the Isfahan suburbs were searched. He was later released on bail from Isfahan Prison but now faces a lengthy prison sentence.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Baha’i faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Iran Protests: Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentences of Three Protesters

Branch 9 of the Iranian Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentences of three protestors who were arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022 in Isfahan. Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi were accused of enmity against God (Moharebeh) in a legal case known as “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House).”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Supreme Court of Iran upheld death sentences against three protests arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Amir Kazemi, Majid Kazemi’s cousin, spoke to HRANA and shared details about the case: “Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Ghasem Mazinani, dismissed the appeal request and upheld the death sentences. The highest judicial authority in Iran upheld these verdicts without considering the errors and defects in this legal case.”

Kazemi added, “The death penalty for the three first-row defendants was upheld, despite judiciary officials’ promise to their families that they would be granted amnesty on Eid al-Fitr (Holiday of Breaking the Fast). Coerced confessions were the only evidence presented during the trial. There was no evidence proving the claim that warm weapons were discovered from the defendants.”

Earlier, in a phone call to his relative from prison, Majid Kazemi revealed that they were tortured and coerced into confessing.

Initially, Saleh Mirhashemi 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 and Saeed Yaghoubi 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.

 

Five Inmates Executed in Adelabad and Dastgerd Prisons

On April 5, 2023, three inmates convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz. Also, on March 19, a man and woman convicted of murder were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, Adelabad prison officials carried out the execution of three inmates.

These individuals have been identified as Yousef Jome’eh Hosseini (an Afghan national), Kazem Rasouli and Ali Hossein Sadeghzadeh, all convicted of drug-related crimes three years ago.

Also, Iran Human Rights Organization reported that on March 19, 2023, Hassan Bahmani and Maryam Najjar (female) were executed in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. They were previously convicted of murder in two separate cases.

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.

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Baha’i Citizen Parva Behdad Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

The Isfahan Revolutionary Court recently sentenced Baha’i citizen Parva Behdad to three years in prison, a ban from leaving the country for two years and other punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Baha’i citizen Parva Behdad was sentenced to three years in prison, a ban from leaving the country for two years, paying a fine and participating in a religion course for indoctrination.

On November 14, 2022, security forces arrested Behdad in Isfahan and detained her in solitary confinement for over 21 days. After that, she was jailed in Dolataad Prison. On December 18, 2022, she was released on bail.

The charges against her are still unknown.

The Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, from the total of human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

 

Iranian-British Sanam Kazerouni Released on Bail

Iranian-British Sanam Kazerouni was released on bail from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Iranian-British Sanam Kazerouni, arrested amid nationwide protests, was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

The allegations against Kazerouni are still unknown.
Kazerouni was arrested during nationwide protests in October 2022 in Isfahan. She, age 52, is the writer of the book “from Tous to Dushanbe.”

About Iran Nationwide Protests 2022
The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her alleged improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During these protests, at least about 19760 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Mehdi Moghadari Goes on Hunger Strike

Imprisoned Mehdi Moghadari, a former member of Isfahan city council, went on a hunger strike in protest against judicial officials’ refusal to release him temporarily.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mehdi Moghadari went on a hunger strike in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

Suffering from rheumatism, Moghadari needs treatment. According to student activist Ali Moeini, Moghadari has been on a hunger strike for two days.

In November 2022, security forces arrested Moghadari in Isfahan and jailed him in Dastgerd Prison.

 

Two Inmates Executed in Ilam and Isfahan

Wednesday, January 18, two inmates convicted of murder were executed in Ilam Prison and Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on January 18, 2023, Ghodrat Zibarm, age 30, was executed in Ilam Prison.

Zibarm was arrested and convicted of murder three years ago.
Iran Human Rights Organization also reported the execution of an inmate identified as Omid Karimi in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, on the same day.
Karimi, reportedly, was sentenced to death for murder four years ago.

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

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.

Omid Karimi
Omid Karimi

Baha’i Citizen Elmira Rahmani Arrested in Isfahan

On January 16, security forces arrested Baha’i citizen Elmira Rahmani at her home in Isfahan and took her to an undisclosed location. The agents searched the house and confiscated some of her belonging.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on January 16, 2023, Baha’i citizen Elmira Rahmani was arrested in Isfahan.

Rahmani, age 28, is a resident of Isfahan and a professional musician.

The location where she is held and the allegation are still unknown.

According to the HRANA Annual Statistical Report of Human Rights Conditions in Iran, in 2022, 64% of the entire reports on the violation of religious minorities’ rights are about harassment, prosecution and conviction against Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.