Middle-Aged Man at Risk of Execution for Drinking Alcohol

A middle-aged man who was arrested for a fourth time on charges of drinking alcohol has been confronted with a request for execution by the prosecutor’s representative.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Iran Newspaper, the man has been arrested three times before and has endured a total of 240 lashes for drinking. Alcohol consumption is haram (forbidden)  in Islam, and is punishable under Islamic Law.

According to the report, the investigation of the case began earlier this year with a plea from one of the accused man’s neighbors.

The indictment was sent to the Fourth Branch of the Criminal Court of Tehran Province where the representative of the prosecutor requested the man’s execution.

The prosecutor has also requested punishment for the defendant for contempt, and for damaging the police station.