18-Year-Old Sepehr Shirani’s Suspicious Death in Custody

On January 30, 2024, Sepehr Shirani, 18 years old, died under suspicious circumstances after three days in the custody of a security institution in Zahedan, as reported by Haal Vsh.

IRGC Intelligence is said to be responsible for his arrest, notifying Shirani’s family of his demise via a phone call. As of now, his body has not been handed over to his family.

The agents cited the publication of critical social media posts as the reason for Shirani’s arrest.

The Baloch Activists Campaign, a human rights monitor in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, has reported that Shirani died under torture while in custody.

Notably, recent years have seen numerous cases of suspicious deaths or murders of citizens within police detention centers, security, and judicial institutions. In most instances, investigations have failed to definitively identify perpetrators or hold authorities accountable.

The agents had reportedly mentioned publishing criticizing posts on social media as the reason for Shirani’s arrest.

According to HRA’s annual report for 2023, a total of 1,386 violations of prisoners’ rights were documented. These include 27 cases of physical assault on prisoners, 1,390 instances of denial or neglect of medical care, 342 illegal transfers to solitary confinement, 114 attempted hunger strikes, 415 cases of forced transfer or exile of prisoners, 4,140 instances of threats and pressure on prisoners, 66 cases of denying prisoner visitation rights, 34 cases of psychological and physical torture, 7 deaths due to illness, 12 suicides, 1 case of self-immolation, 4 murders of prisoners, 208 instances of lack of access to legal counsel, 4,197 reports of prisoners being kept in unsuitable conditions, 80 cases of forced confession, 290 instances of non-segregation of crimes, 78 denials of medical leave, and 101 denials of the right to contact.

Two Inmates Executed in Shiraz and Chabahar Prisons

On November 26, two inmates faced execution in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz and Chabahar (Chah Bahar) Prisons.

Reza Rastkhiz, 37 years old, was executed at Adelabad Prison for drug-related offenses that led to his arrest three years ago, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization.

Simultaneously, the Baloch Activists Campaign conveyed the execution of Adel Damani in Chabahar Prison, situated in the Sistan and Baluchestan province. Damani, convicted of murder nine years ago, met the tragic end sanctioned by the legal system.

These executions add to the ongoing discussions surrounding the application of capital punishment in Iran and raise questions about the nature of justice in cases involving drug offenses and murder convictions. The human rights implications of such decisions continue to be a subject of global concern and scrutiny.

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.

Dozen of People Arrested in Rask

On June 23, 2023, in Rask, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, dozens of individuals attending Friday Prayer were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, in Rask, about 50 people coming from nearby villages to attend Friday prayer and following march were arrested.

The identities of those detained remain unknown, and the reasons for their arrests, as well as the allegations involved, are currently shrouded in uncertainty.

Two Individuals Killed in Unrestrained Shooting by Military Forces

In separate incidents on April 3, 2023, Hassan Siahani and Eslam Dorkhani were shot dead by military forces in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Haal Vsh, on April 3, 2023, a citizen was killed in an unrestrained shooting by military forces in Saravan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

This individual has been identified as Hassan Siahani, age 40, and a resident of a village in Saravan County. The military forces reportedly began shooting directly at him without any warning.

According to another report, military forces shot dead another citizen, identified as Eslam Dorkhani, in Sistan and Baluchestan Province on the same day.

According to HRANA annual report, in 2022, 845 people were shot by military forces. At least 571 of the victims lost their life. This includes 22 kolbars, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. 274 people were injured by military forces open fire, including 134 kolbars, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers.

 

 

Three Inmates Executed in Shiraz Central Prison and Dastgerd Prison

On December 19, two death row inmates previously convicted of drug-related crimes were executed in Shiraz Central Prison. In Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, a female inmate was executed for committing murder.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ‏the Baloch Activists Campaign, Naeem She-Bakhsh and Abdolkhalegh Salar-Zehi, were executed in Shiraz Central Prison. They were natives of Kolahoor Village in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Per a report by Iran Human Rights, a woman identified as Fatemeh Aslani was executed in the Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan. In the report, and informed source stated that “Nine years ago, Fatemeh Aslani was arrested allegedly for killing her husband for abetting one of her relatives with whom she secretly had affairs. She pleaded not guilty. Because the murderer had left the country, they executed her instead”.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between October 8 of 2021 and October 9 of 2021, at least 266 citizens, three of whom were juvenile offenders, were executed and 90 citizens were sentenced to death.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 82% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Inmate Executed in Shiraz Central Prison

On Tuesday, November 2, an inmate who had been previously convicted of murder was executed in Shiraz Central Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rasank news outlet, 23-year-old Mohammad Raisi was a resident of a village in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

“Last night, Mohammad called his family to tell them that he has been transferred to the quarantine section of the prison,” an informed source was quoted as saying in the report. “This morning, his family came to Shiraz to receive his body from prison officials, but they were referred to a hospital mortuary.”

The most recent report of the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between October 8 of 2020 and October 9 of 2021, at least 266 citizens, three of whom were juvenile offenders, were executed and 90 citizens were sentenced to death.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 82% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Raisi’s execution has not been reported by official sources in Iran as of this writing.

 

Cross-Border Fuel Carrier Shot Dead In Bashagard by Military Forces

On Wednesday, September 29, military forces opened fired and killed a Sookhtbar (cross-border fuel carrier) in Bashagard City in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Resanak, he was carrying fuel with his car when the direct shooting of military forces (called Mersad Forces) towards the car led to his death. The report identifies the victim as Behzad Balavar.

HRANA’s annual human rights report has specifically documented cases in which military forces’ use of live ammunition against citizens has led to their injury or death.

According to the 2020 report, other than material damages like loss of pack animals due to road accidents, frost, or avalanche, 36 cross-border carriers (Kolbars) and  fuel porters (Sookhtbars) , and 33 regular citizens have been killed by the regime’s military forces. 130 people have been injured due to unlawful shootings from which 109 were Kolbars, 16 regular citizens, and 5 fuel porters.

 

 

Shah Jan Baluch Arrested in Dashtiari

On Sunday, September 26, Shah Jan Baluch was arrested by intelligence agents.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting The Baloch Activists Campaign, Jan Baluch is a native of the village of Dargas in Dashtiari City in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

As of this writing, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him are unknown.

Taregh Azizi Arrested by Security Forces in Nikshahr

On the evening of Friday, September 17, Taregh Azizi from Nikshahr was arrested by security forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting RASANK, after his arrest, Azizi was transferred to an unknown location.

According to this report, Mr. Azizi is said to have been summoned several times by the IRGC intelligence of the Shahid Memar base in Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, previously.

At the time of writing, no information is available on the reasons for Azizi’s detention or the charges against him.

Inmate Executed in Iranshahr Prison in Sistan and Baluchistan Province

On Saturday, September 11, Adham Maksani, a native of Shamsabad village of Bampour district, was executed in Iranshahr Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting The Baloch Activists Campaign, Maksani was previously sentenced to death for murder and had spent 10 years in Iranshahr prison.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death. According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

As of this writing, the execution of Mr. Maksani has not been announced by Iranian media or official sources.