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

Today, December23, five prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, who were previously sentenced to death on charges of murder and armed robbery, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the transfer occurred on Monday, December 23, 2024.

Further details, including the identities of these prisoners, are under investigation 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.

Six Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

At dawn on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the death sentences of at least six prisoners were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Among those executed, one had been convicted of murder, four were sentenced on drug-related charges, and one was condemned for “spreading corruption on Earth” by instilling fear among women and causing injuries.

The identities of the prisoners have been confirmed by HRANA as Hassan Ali Yousefi, Majid Jamshidi, Sohrab Ahmadipour, Abdolbari Pakouhi (an Afghan national), Farzad Nowruzi, and Rastgouyi Kondelaj.

According to reports, Yousefi, Jamshidi, Ahmadipour, and Pakouhi were arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts. Farzad Nowruzi received a death sentence from a Criminal Court for murder. Rastgouyi Kondelaj, the sixth prisoner executed, was sentenced to death for “spreading corruption on Earth.”

The Judiciary’s media center provided details on Kondelaj’s case, which began in late 2018. He used a motorcycle and concealed his face to approach women and girls from behind, attacking them with an awl—a sharp iron tool with a wooden handle typically used in leatherworking—before fleeing. These assaults injured 59 women and girls in Tehran.

Following his arrest, Kondelaj was charged with “spreading corruption on Earth by instilling fear among women and injuring them.” He was sentenced to execution and ordered to pay compensation to the victims.

As of this report, no official statements have been issued by the Judiciary’s media center, prison officials, or other authorities regarding the executions of the other five prisoners.

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.

Ghezel Hesar Prison: Six Inmates Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution

Today, December 9, 2024, six inmates in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, who were previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.

The transfer was carried out to prepare for the implementation of their death sentences. Among the six inmates is a citizen of Afghanistan.

Further details, including the identities of the prisoners, are under investigation 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.

 

Eight Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Imminent Execution in Ghezel 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.

Execution of Three Inmates at Qezel Hesar Prison

Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison in Karaj recently executed three inmates who had been convicted of murder and rape.

HRANA has identified two of the executed individuals as Akbar Qara Gozlu and Ehsan Hamedi, both previously convicted of murder. The third inmate subjected to capital punishment was convicted of rape.

As of the time of this report, no official statements from authorities or coverage by domestic media outlets within the country have confirmed 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 behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

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Eight Protestors Remain in Detention Amid Legal Uncertainty

Milad Armoon, Alireza Kafaie, Amir-Mohammad Khosh Eghbal, Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Mohammad-Mehdi Hosseini, Hossein Nemati, Mehdi Imani, and Navid Najaran are detained in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison with an uncertain legal status.

The arrest of these individuals during the 2022 nationwide protests links them to a legal case stemming from an incident in Ekbatan town, Tehran, resulting in the death of Basij Militia agent Arman Aliverdi.

According to a source with close ties to one defendant’s family, the Tehran Criminal Court had previously confirmed the release of two detainees on bail. However, Judge Salavati, presiding over Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, rejected their release and asserted control over the entire case. Such discrepancies within Iran’s judicial system contribute to legal insecurity and uncertainty, causing distress for the detainees and their families.

Another source reports that, despite multiple court sessions in October and November of this year, the defendants await a verdict. Earlier, it was revealed that the case had been divided between the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts. The Criminal Court initiated proceedings on October 7, 2023, addressing charges of “assisting in murder, assembly and collusion against national security, and enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

The protests in Ekbatan Town in Tehran in 2022 resulted in the death of Basij Militia agent Arman Aliverdi. Subsequently, in November 2022, police and security forces arrested over 50 young residents of the district, with 14 individuals facing legal action. The indictments detail charges such as “enmity against God” for Azmoon, Hosseini, and Imani, while Kafaie, Khosh Eghbal, Barmarz Pournak, and Nemati face charges of “assisting in murder and disturbing public order.” The charges against Najaran, arrested in Ahvaz, remain unknown.

Twelve Inmates Executed Across Various Prisons

In a recent escalation of capital punishment, a total of twelve inmates faced execution in different Iranian prisons. The executions took place at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Lakan Prison in Rasht, Kashan Prison, and Khorramabad Prison.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar Prison recorded the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar prison witnessed the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) and spreading corruption on earth through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On November 25, 2023, Mohsen Sedaghat, and Geda-Ali Saber Motlagh (62) were also executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Motlagh was a political prisoner in the 1980s. In 2020-2021, he was rearrested and sentenced to death. He was accused of killing a government official which he was consistently refuted. Sedaghat was convicted of murder.

Lastly, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Masoud Basak, aged 33, in Kashan Prison and Morad Biranvand, aged 40, and Morad Geravand in Khorramabad Prison.

 

Two Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar Prison for Drug Offenses

On November 28, officials at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj executed two inmates convicted of drug offenses.

The individuals, identified by HRANA as Eghbal Fathollahi and Mohsen Amraie, were transferred to solitary confinement one day before their execution.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Mohammad Boroughani Receives Five-Year Prison Term and Ten Years Exile

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a verdict, sentencing Mohammad Boroughani, a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, to five years in prison and ten years of mandatory residence in Naeen County, situated in Isfahan province, as reported by Shargh Newspaper.

Initially facing a death sentence on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through the use of a cold weapon, altercation with police officers, and setting fire to the Pakdasht governorate building,” Boroughani’s fate took a different turn. The Supreme Court overturned the initial verdict, leading to a retrial in another court branch.

Currently held in Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Boroughani was apprehended during the 2022 protest in Pakdasht, Tehran Province.

Two Inmates Executed in Karaj and Tabriz for Murder and Drug Offenses

On Wednesday, November 22, two inmates faced execution for their involvement in murder and drug offenses, with one execution taking place in Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj, and the other in Tabriz Prison.

According to Etemad Online, the execution in Qezel Hesar prison involved a man convicted of murder. In April 2011, he fatally attacked his brother’s wife. The identities of the individuals involved were not disclosed, but it was mentioned that his brother received a prison sentence for aiding in the murder.

Simultaneously, the Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Ebrahim Zamharir, aged 48 and a father of one, in Tabriz Prison for drug offenses. Zamharir had been sentenced to death three years ago.