Two Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj for Drug-related Crimes

At dawn today, October 2, the execution of two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug-related crimes was carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

HRANA has identified these prisoners, who were sentenced to death on drug-related charges, as Hamzeh Shahbazi and Fazlollah Pournasiri. On Monday, September 30, Mr. Shahbazi and Mr. Pournasiri, along with two prisoners convicted of murder, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison officials or the relevant authorities.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Prisoner Executed in Kahnuj Prison

Today, October 1, 2024, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death for non-political crimes was carried out in Kahnuj Prison, Kerman province.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as “Abdol Habibi.” He had been sentenced to death by the judiciary for non-political crimes.

Further details are currently under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

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.

Mohammad Tahmasbi Held Without Charges for Over 50 Days in Ahvaz Ministry of Intelligence Detention Facility

Mohammad Tahmasbi, a 32-year-old resident of Izeh, has been detained in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz for more than 50 days without being formally charged, despite suffering from serious health issues.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA, “Mr. Tahmasbi has been held without charges for 50 days in Ahvaz. He suffers from intestinal adhesions and shortness of breath, requiring specialized medical treatment that is unavailable in the detention facility.”

Tahmasbi was arrested by security forces in Urmia on August 13, 2024, before being transferred to Ahvaz. After a month of no contact, he informed his family via a phone call that he was being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz.

To date, no details have been provided about the reasons for Tahmasbi’s arrest or any charges filed against him.

Execution of Four Prisoners in Saravan, Semnan, and Kerman

At dawn today, October 1, the death sentences of two prisoners, who had previously been convicted on separate charges related to drug offenses, were carried out in Saravan and Semnan prisons, according to Haal Vsh.

Their identities have been reported as Dastgir Sasuli, 46, father of three, from Zahak County,” and “Rashid Sepahi, 33, from Jalq and residing in Bakhshan, Saravan County.

According to this report, Mr. Sasuli was arrested in 2019 in Semnan, and Mr. Sepahi was arrested in 2020 in Saravan, both on drug-related charges, and were later sentenced to death by the judiciary. These two prisoners had been transferred to solitary confinement on Sunday and Monday, respectively, in preparation for their executions.

At the time of this report, the executions had not yet been officially announced by prison authorities or related officials.

Additionally, citing the Judiciary’s news agency Mizan, without mentioning the identities of those executed, two prisoners were executed in Kerman prison. These individuals had previously been sentenced to death on charges of rape.

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.

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

Yesterday, September 30, four prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, who had previously been sentenced to death for drug-related offenses and murder, was carried out in preparation for the implementation of their sentences. HRANA is currently investigating further details, including the identities of these 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.

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Abolfazl Ghadiani Arrested by Security Forces

Today, September 30, political activist Abolfazl Ghadiani was arrested by security forces in Tehran and transferred to an undisclosed location.

His son announced that the arrest took place around noon at Mr. Ghadiani’s residence by security forces. As of the time of this report, no information has been provided regarding the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

In July 2023, Mr. Ghadiani was sentenced to 10 months in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and had been summoned to Branch 1 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office to serve this sentence.

Additionally, he has faced charges of “spreading falsehoods on the Internet” in another case at Branch 1025 of the Criminal Court of the Tehran Government Employees Judicial Complex.

Ghadiani has a history of previous arrests and convictions due to his political activities.

Teenager Dies Nine Days After Being Shot by Military Forces in Hirmand

On September 29, 2024, 16-year-old Mohammad Sasuli succumbed to his injuries after being shot by military forces in the border areas of Hirmand County. He had endured nine days of critical condition before passing away.

According to Haal Vsh, Mohammad Sasuli was fatally wounded by indiscriminate gunfire from Border Guard officers. The shooting occurred on Saturday, September 21, when military forces opened fire without issuing a warning or command to stop. Mohammad sustained severe heart injuries and was placed in a coma in the ICU at Amir al-Momenin Hospital in Zabol, where he fought for his life for over a week.

Data collected by the Department of Statistics and Publication of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) shows that in 2023, 540 citizens were shot at by military forces, resulting in the deaths of 129 individuals. Among the deceased were 29 porters (kolbars), 29 fuel carriers (sukhtbars), and 71 other civilians. Additionally, 411 citizens were injured by indiscriminate shootings, including 353 kolbars, 33 ordinary citizens, and 25 sukhtbars.

Mahboob Habibi, a Baha’i Citizen from Shiraz, Arrested and Charged

On Saturday, September 28, Mahboob Habibi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city, known as House No 100.

A source close to Habibi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “Mahboob Habibi was arrested in the presence of his two-year-old child by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Shiraz.”

The following day, on Sunday, September 29, Habibi was formally charged during an interrogation at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office with accusations including “propaganda against the regime.”

Mahboob Habibi and his wife, Negar Misaghian, have previously been arrested and faced legal action due to their religious beliefs and activities.

Two Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Sentenced to Prison

Azerbaijani-Turk activists, Vadood Asadi and Yashar Nikroo, have been sentenced to a total of six years and six months in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, Mr. Asadi received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” three years and six months for “membership in anti-regime groups,” and one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” Mr. Nikroo was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

In February 2024, Mr. Asadi was violently arrested by security forces in Rasht and transferred to Evin Prison later that month. He was released a few days afterward upon posting bail.

Yashar Nikroo Ahmad Gourabi, another Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Rasht, had previously faced formal charges at the Rasht Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

Three Members of Pakhshan Azizi’s Family Sentenced to Prison

The prison sentences of Aziz Azizi, Parshang Azizi, and Hossein Abbasi, relatives of political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi, who faces a death sentence, have been upheld by the Tehran Court of Appeals. All three had previously been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

In early August 2024, Aziz Azizi (Pakhshan’s father), Parshang Azizi (her sister), and Hossein Abbasi (her brother-in-law) were convicted in a joint case with Pakhshan Azizi. Each was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year in prison for the charge of “assisting a criminal to evade trial and conviction.” On September 26, the Court of Appeals confirmed these rulings.

According to HRANA, a request for a final appeal has been submitted to the Supreme Court.

Aziz Azizi, Parshang Azizi, and Hossein Abbasi were arrested at the same time as Pakhshan Azizi and later released on bail.

Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. In July 2024, she was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “armed rebellion through membership in opposition groups.” Her trial, along with other defendants, was held on May 28, 2024.

Additionally, Ms. Azizi faces a new charge of “rioting in prison” in a case being handled by Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, allegedly related to the second round of the 2024 presidential election. She had also been arrested previously, on November 16, 2009, and was released on bail after four months.