Iranian Activist Condemns Execution Of Protester

The Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that attempts to allow Salimi's family a last visit were thwarted on Tuesday. The family arrived at the prison only to discover that the execution had already taken place.

Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Kamran Sheikheh, and Anwar Khezri, all sentenced to death in the same case, had been on a hunger strike since December 30, protesting the execution of three co-defendants and fearing their own impending fate.

Amnesty International had expressed serious concerns about Salimi's execution, calling on Iranian authorities to halt the process immediately. This follows a pattern, as three other co-defendants faced a similar fate in Ghezelhesar prison in recent months.

The case dates back to the arrests of seven individuals in West Azerbaijan province in December 2009 and January 2010, accused of belonging to "Salafist groups." In 2018, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran convicted them of "corruption on Earth" and alleged involvement in the 2008 murder of Abdolrahim Tina. Despite consistent denials, the Supreme Court upheld their convictions in 2020, refusing a retrial.

Since the uprising of 2022 hundreds of political prisoners have been executed in Iran, which has now been named the world's highest executioner per capita, with an average of three killings per day according to US-based Iran Human Rights Activists News Agency. 

Mohammad Ghobadlou was accused of hitting and killing a policeman with his car during the 2022 protests in Iran. He and his defense attorney consistently denied the charge, providing evidence to show his innocence.

In a complete collapse of judicial process, Ghobadlou’s defense was informed of the decision to hang him with half a day's notice. Attorney Amir Raisian published the notice on his X account, saying that the execution would amount to “murder”, since the initial verdict had been overturned and his client had a right to appeal.

Monday night, hours after the news broke out that the imminent execution of the 23-year old, his family and dozens of concerned citizens gathered in front of the prison, hoping that their presence could at least delay the execution –that is usually carried out with the morning call to prayer just before the sunrise.

Right after sunrise, the Islamic Republic Judiciary outlet Mizan News announced that Ghobdalou had been executed.

A short clip emerged on X, showing Ghobadlou’s mother at the prison gate shouting at the guards, “you killed my Mohammad, he’d taken to the streets for all you youngsters.”

Iran executed around 800 people in 2023, including several political prisoners. Political detainees almost in all cases face unfair trials without due process of law or a fair chance of self-defense.

This the first time, however, that a death sentence has been carried out after being rejected by a higher court, raising questions over the reasons and the timing of the execution, in particular.

During nationwide anti-regime protests in 2022-2023, security forces killed around 550 protesters and arrested 22,000 people. Hundreds of civilians, mostly young people, were injured, many bearing permanent loss of eyes and other permanent damages.

The figures mean that Iran has been catapulted to the top spot globally for the highest per capita execution rate.

The statistics show that on average, Iran carried out three executions per day throughout the past month, showcasing a disregard for the fundamental right to life within the Iranian judicial system.

Among the events highlighted in the report is the execution of Vafa Hanareh, Aran Omri, Rahman Parhazoo, and Nasim Namazi in Urmia Prison on December 29th. The prisoners faced charges of "moharebeh (War against God) and corrupting the earth through espionage for Israel."

HRANA claim that over 75% of executions in Iran remain unreported by government or judicial entities, often characterized as "secret executions" by human rights organizations.

HRANA's recent annual report also revealed a surge in executions in the wake of the 2022 uprising, sparked by the death in morality police custody of Mahsa Amini. In 2023 alone, at least 791 citizens, including 25 women and 2 child offenders, were executed, marking a shocking 33% increase compared to the previous year. Seven of the executions were conducted in public.

According to Amnesty International, from January 2012 to July 2023, over five thousand people, including at least 57 children, have faced execution in Iran.

Amir Raisian disclosed that Salehi is now accused of "rebellion," indicating an "armed uprising against the system," and of "conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against security."

Under the Islamic Penal Code, engaging in an "armed uprising against the system" can result in the death penalty.

Raisian said the indictment is at odds with the Supreme Court's recent emphasis on Salehi's eligibility for pardon, explaining that “charges for which Salehi had previously received acquittal judgments” have been reinstated in the renewed indictment.

Salehi was recently imprisoned for one year and 21 days behind bars, 252 days of those in solitary confinement. He was released on bail on November 18th, only to be detained again a mere 12 days later after releasing a video detailing the torture he endured in prison.

In the video, Salehi accused prison authorities and government-affiliated media of wrongdoing, leading to a formal complaint. Raisian condemned the re-arrest, labeling it "against the law" and asserting that Salehi did not fabricate the claims made in the video.

Salehi rose to fame in recent years for his socially conscious rap songs and became a prominent supporter of the Women, Life, Freedom protests. His initial arrest occurred in November 2022 in the village of Gerdbisheh, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, following a period of living in hiding.

It is believed that Amirpour, a first-semester physical education student at Azad University lost her life when intelligence forces pursued the car she was in. The car's driver, M. Jalayi-far, also a student and Borujerd resident, sustained severe injuries and is currently hospitalized.

Hengaw Human Rights Organization, a Kurdish rights group, says the intelligence forces claim the incident was linked to a recent terror attack in Kerman. Two explosions during the fourth memorial of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3 killed around 90 people in Kerman. The strategy aims to reframe the intentional killing as part of a scripted security case.

It is not clear why the agents tried to stop the car, although some speculate that it could be hijab enforcement related.

Rights group sources indicate that as the plainclothes forces approached the students' car, instructing them to stop and exit the vehicle, the intimidated driver panicked and attempted to flee. Subsequently, the intelligence forces opened fire and seized the car.

Over the past two days, security entities have reportedly pressured the families and friends of the victims not to disclose information about the incident. Two personnel from Chamran Hospital were also summoned and threatened by intelligence authorities.

While security and law enforcement authorities in Borujerd have not issued public statements, Governor Moslem Moradi vaguely referenced the incident, attributing it to recent terrorist attacks and confrontations with criminal elements. Hengaw sources reject Moradi's claims, emphasizing that intelligence forces deliberately targeted the students, leading to Amirpour's death.