Sunni Prisoner Ghasem Abasteh Executed in Qezel Hesar, Karaj

On November 5, 2023, Ghasem Abasteh, a Sunni prisoner who had spent 13 years and 9 months behind bars, was executed in Qezel Hesar, Karaj.

Abasteh’s ordeal through the legal system began in January-February 2010 when he was initially arrested. After enduring 14 months of uncertainty in Evin and Urmia Prisons, he found himself in Rajai Shahr Prison, located in Karaj. This year, in August, he was transferred to Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison.

Throughout his ordeal, Abasteh faced multiple charges, including the serious accusation of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) due to his alleged sympathies with Salafi Groups, a religious movement within Sunni Islam, which he consistently denied.

In February-March 2016, he and six other Sunni prisoners received a death sentence from Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, this verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court, leading to the case being transferred to Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Judge Salavati, presiding over this court, handed down the death sentence to these six individuals again on June 17 and 18, 2019. This time, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Ghasem Abasteh, along with Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ayoub Karimi, and Davoud Abdollahi.

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.

Two Sunni Prisoners in Critical Health Condition

HRANA News Agency – Abdul Rahman Sangani and Ghasem Abesteh, two Sunni prisoners of conscience in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, are facing severe health deterioration. However, they have been denied access to health services. Half of Mr. Sangani’s body is numb and his eye is damaged. Ghasem Abesteh who has been in prison since 9 years ago, has been informed that based on his medical tests, he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Despite the confirmation of the prisoner’s condition of cancer, authorities in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have kept both of these people deprived of access to the necessary medical services.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), Ghasem Abesteh, Sunni prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj who has been in jail for the past 9 years, has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Continue reading “Two Sunni Prisoners in Critical Health Condition”

7 Sunni Prisoners Sentenced to Death by the Revolutionary Court

HRANA News Agency – On May 25, 2016, the death sentences of seven Sunni prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison was notified to them. This verdict was issued by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court headed by judge Moghiseh.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), Davood Abdollahi, Kamran Sheikhi, Farhad Salimi, Anvar Khezri, Khosrow Besharat, Ghasem Abesteh and Ayoub Karimi, are the seven Sunnis prisoners who were detained since December 7, 2009 and have been sentenced to death. Continue reading “7 Sunni Prisoners Sentenced to Death by the Revolutionary Court”

A Short Report about the Situation of Sunni Prisoners in Rajaei Shahr Prison

HRANA News Agency – There are more than 70 Sunni prisoners kept in Rajaei Shahr prison with political-security charges, 42 of whom are imprisoned with the sentences between 5 to 20 years and are being kept in hall number 21 of ward number 7, and at least 30 prisoners with death sentences who are kept in hall number 10 of ward 4 of the prison.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 70 Sunni prisoners are kept in Rajaei Shahr prison with security and political allegations and have received their sentences under sacrilege charge. These prisoners are usually residents of western parts of Iran and are kept kilometers far from their hometown. Continue reading “A Short Report about the Situation of Sunni Prisoners in Rajaei Shahr Prison”

Officers Prevent 2 Sunni Prisoners from Receiving Medical Treatment

HRANA News Agency – Two Sunni prisoners of conscience in Iran who had been transferred to hospital on Tuesday after a deterioration in their condition were prevented from receiving medical treatment by officers in charge of their case.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Jamshed Dehghani and Ghasem Abesteh were transferred from Rajai Shahr prison to the Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran on 16 December 2014. Continue reading “Officers Prevent 2 Sunni Prisoners from Receiving Medical Treatment”

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Sunni prisoner Ghasem Abesteh deprived of medical treatment

HRANA News Agency – Sunni prisoner of conscience Ghasem Abesteh, who is suffering from a kidney infection, is being deprived of proper medical care by officials at Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj.

According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) in Iran, despite suffering from intense pain in his kidneys that has left him mostly confined to bed and unable to carry out daily activities, the prison infirmary has failed to provide treatment for the infection, instead prescribing only Paracetemol tablets. Continue reading “Sunni prisoner Ghasem Abesteh deprived of medical treatment”