Execution of Inmate in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

On January 23, 2024, Ghezel Hesar Prison officials carried out the execution of inmate Ahmad Asgarat, convicted of murder.

According to HRANA, Asgarat was implicated in the murder of a man, allegedly in collaboration with his wife, following an extramarital affair.

As of now, there have been no reports on this execution from official sources or domestic media outlets within the country.

It’s worth noting that on the same day, two other prisoners, Mohammad Ghobadloo and Farhad Salimi, were also executed.

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.

Mohammad Ghobadloo Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, has reported the execution of Mohammad Ghobadloo, a detainee connected to the 2022 nationwide protests, in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Amidst growing controversy, Amir Raisian, Ghobadloo’s lawyer, publicly disclosed yesterday that despite the Supreme Court overturning the death sentence, he was informed of the imminent execution scheduled for Tuesday, January 23.

Raisian clarified, “The death sentence (Qisas or reprisal) had been overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was transferred to another branch (Branch 5 of the Criminal Court of Tehran), awaiting the results of forensic re-examinations for the verdict. However, after several months, the case was unexpectedly reassigned to Branch 39 following a Supreme Court directive. Now, just hours before the scheduled execution, we have been notified of this sudden development.”

Raisian strongly denounced the execution, asserting, “This execution lacks any legal basis and should be considered a case of manslaughter.”

The execution of Ghobadloo has triggered widespread condemnation on Farsi-speaking social media platforms. Concurrently, Mizan released a video featuring Ghobadloo’s coerced confessions. The judiciary’s news agency has dismissed claims that Ghobadloo suffered from major mental disorders, including bipolar disorders.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, Ghobadloo faced charges such as “spreading corruption on earth through crimes against the physical integrity of people.” Additional allegations included “destruction of public property” and “acting against national security by causing unrest.”

During the court proceedings, Ghobadloo emphasized “being influenced by the psychological consequences resulting from the non-use of his medications on the night of the incident.” Simultaneously, the prison doctor of the Great Tehran Penitentiary and the prison supervisor confirmed the mentally precarious condition of the accused, a factor overlooked by forensic experts during the trial.

Siamak Nasiri Receives Six-Year Sentence and Two-Year Exile

The Revolutionary Court in Karaj has sentenced Siamak Nasiri to six years in prison and two years of exile on political charges. Currently held in the Central Prison of Karaj, Nasiri, aged 39, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Karaj on August 28, 2023.

Presiding over Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, Judge Musa Asef Al-Hosseini conveyed the verdict on January 17. Nasiri received five years for “inciting people to violence and waging war against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” He is also mandated to reside in Ahvaz for two years.

According to a source who spoke to HRANA, Nasiri had a previous detention in December 2022 in Karaj, where he was held in the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility. Following this, he was transferred to the Central Prison of Karaj and later granted pardon and released under a general pardon and commutation directive.

Execution of Three Inmates at Ghezel Hesar Prison

Karaj, January 7, 2024 – The authorities at Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison recently executed three individuals on death row.

According to HRANA, the inmates subjected to capital punishment were identified as Mohammad-Hossein Geravand, Kiomars Gholami, and Hamed Khodadad. The first two were convicted of offenses related to drugs, while the third was sentenced for murder.

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.

 

Sunni Prisoner Davoud Abdollahi Executed in Ghezel Hesar

On January 2, 2024, Davoud Abdollahi, a Sunni prisoner, was executed in Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison, Karaj, marking the end of his 13-year incarceration.

A source close to his family informed HRANA that the execution occurred without prior notice to his family. Abdollahi had been transferred to solitary confinement on December 26, following a hunger strike he initiated.

In a related legal case, two other Sunni defendants, Ghasem Abasteh and Ayoub Karimi, were executed on November 5 and November 29, 2023, respectively.

The origins of the case date back to September 2008 when Abdolrahim Tina, the Imam of a mosque in Mahabad, was assassinated by unidentified individuals. In January-February 2010, Abdollahi and six other Sunni suspects were arrested in connection to the assassination.

While in detention, Abdollahi faced multiple charges, including enmity against God (Moharebeh), allegedly through sympathizing with Salafism—a charge he consistently refuted. After spending fourteen months in legal limbo, Abdollahi was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, where he remained until his relocation to Ghezel Hesar Prison in August of the current year.

Initially sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Moghiseh, the verdict was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The case was then assigned to Branch 15 of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, who reinstated the death sentences for Abdollahi and six others—Anvar Khezri, Kamran Sheikheh, Farhad Salimi, Khosro Besharat, Ghasem Abasteh, and Ayoub Karimi. This time, the Supreme Court confirmed the death sentences for him and his co-defendants.

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Four Inmates Executed in Karaj Following Drug Convictions

On December 12, 2023, the Central Prison of Karaj carried out the execution of four individuals who had been convicted of drug-related offenses, employing hanging as the method of execution.

HRANA has identified two of the executed individuals as Amin Zakeri and Khalil (last name unknown). HRANA is actively engaged in the process of identifying the remaining two inmates. HRANA is working on identifying the remaining two inmates.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

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.

Report on Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini’s Condition in Central Prison of Karaj

Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini, a follower of Iranian mysticism known as Erfan-e-Halgheh, has recently been sentenced to three years in prison with an additional two years of suspended imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court. He is currently imprisoned in the Central Prison of Karaj.

A source close to Pour-Hosseini’s family provided HRANA with details about this verdict. Moreover, Pour-Hosseini faces charges of “propaganda against the regime and inciting people to act against national security” in a separate case under review by the Karaj Revolutionary Court.

According to this source, Pour-Hosseini has rejected the charges and declined to sign the charge sheet.

On June 13, 2023, IRGC Intelligence forces in Karaj arrested Pour-Hosseini, detaining him in the Central Prison of the city. According to a statement from one of his friends to HRANA, Pour-Hosseini was distributing a leaflet about Erfan-e-Halgheh at the time of his arrest.

Pour-Hosseini had previously been arrested in 2022 for attending a meeting of this mysticist group in Qom, being released on bond after a period of detention. Aged approximately 47, Pour-Hosseini is the father of one daughter and anticipates becoming a father once again.

Notably, concerns persist about the violation of freedom of religion in Iran, exemplified by cases like Pour-Hosseini’s. This incident adds to ongoing apprehensions regarding the protection of religious rights in the country.

 

Four Inmates Executed for Drug Offenses in Central Prison of Karaj

On December 5, 2023, the Central Prison of Karaj carried out the execution of four inmates convicted of drug offenses.

HRANA has identified three of the executed inmates as Sasan Maleki, Mojtaba Amiri, and Manouchehr Nourabad (Barzgar). These individuals had been transferred to solitary confinement in anticipation of their impending executions. HRANA is actively working to identify the fourth inmate involved in the execution.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

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.

 

Reza Aghdasi Sentenced to Four Years and Three Months on Political Charges

Reza (Gholamreza) Aghdasi has received a verdict of four years and three months for political charges from Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently jailed in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Iman Afshari delivered a three-year and seven-month sentence (including the detention period) to Aghdasi for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Following being fired from Iran Khodro, an Iranian automaker company, Aghdasi was arrested on October 24, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin Prison after being summoned to Evin Courthouse.

According to a source close to his family, Aghdasi, aged 57 and a resident of Karaj, is grappling with hearing impairment and other health issues. His residence was searched during the 2022 nationwide protests, resulting in the confiscation of some of his belongings.

Twelve Inmates Executed Across Various Prisons

In a recent escalation of capital punishment, a total of twelve inmates faced execution in different Iranian prisons. The executions took place at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Lakan Prison in Rasht, Kashan Prison, and Khorramabad Prison.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar Prison recorded the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar prison witnessed the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) and spreading corruption on earth through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On November 25, 2023, Mohsen Sedaghat, and Geda-Ali Saber Motlagh (62) were also executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Motlagh was a political prisoner in the 1980s. In 2020-2021, he was rearrested and sentenced to death. He was accused of killing a government official which he was consistently refuted. Sedaghat was convicted of murder.

Lastly, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Masoud Basak, aged 33, in Kashan Prison and Morad Biranvand, aged 40, and Morad Geravand in Khorramabad Prison.