Three defendants in the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case were executed today, May 19, 2023, for charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh), as reported by Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency.
Despite numerous errors and defects in the legal case, Branch 9 of the Iranian Supreme Court recently upheld their death sentences. The execution took place at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, disregarding both domestic and international calls to halt the executions. Yesterday, the families of the defendants were allowed brief visitations.
The death sentence was issued by Judge Morteza Barati, who has been involved in several human rights violations cases.
Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), the primary defendant, 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 (30) and Saeed Yaghoubi (37) 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.
Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests
The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, about thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.
