Political Prisoner Nayeb Askari Faces Execution in Urmia Prison on Baghi Charges

Nayeb (Naeb) Askari, held in Urmia Prison, is at risk of execution after the Urmia Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death for Baghi (armed rebellion) in a recent retrial.

Initially sentenced to death for “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” on April 15, 2023, his plea for a retrial was accepted, leading to a charge change to Baghi. In October 2023, the court reaffirmed the death sentence, with the hearings reportedly conducted without his lawyer’s presence. The charge is supported by his alleged membership in a Kurdish political opposition party.

Arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, Askari was later moved to a detention facility and, on June 17, 2021, to Urmia Prison.

HRANA’s source reveals another ongoing case accusing Askari of the murder of IRGC member Mostafa Soltani. In 2013-2014, Soltani was injured during a clash with a political opposition party member, passing away six years later from COVID-19. Soltani’s family claims alleged Askari’s involvement in the altercation caused the sustained injury leading to his eventual death.

A new case, opened on July 12, 2021, based on a complaint from the Urmia Prison head, resulted in a three-month imprisonment extension and 50 lashes for “disrupting prison order.”

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

Execution of Inmate in Urmia Prison

Update: HRANA has received reports indicating the execution of another inmate, Hossein Habibi, convicted of murder, on January 31 in Urmia Prison.


On January 31, 2024, Urmia Prison carried out the execution of Mehdi Azarioon, a resident of Urmia, convicted of murder.

HRANA has identified the executed individual as Mehdi Azarioon, who had been transferred to solitary confinement in anticipation of his imminent execution the day before.

As of now, there is no official confirmation from government sources or domestic media outlets in the country regarding these executions. The absence of official information raises apprehensions about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2023, Urmia Prison officials executed 29 inmates, positioning this facility as the sixth highest in terms of executions among the ranked prisons.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of  746 individuals. Out of these, 6 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 597 were male and 20 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Four Alleged Spies Executed in Urmia Prison Amidst Iran-Israel Tensions

On December 29, 2023, against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, Aran Omari, Rahman Parhazoo, Vafa Henareh, and Nasim Namazi were executed in Urmia Prison on charges of espionage for Israel.

The individuals, including Mansour Rasouli, received death sentences as part of a contentious legal case known as “interrogating Mansour Rasouli.” Yesterday, HRANA reported their relocation to solitary confinement the day before, heightening concerns about their impending execution. In an unexpected turn of events, Rasouli was returned to prison, reportedly due to a significant development in his legal case.

In October 2021, these five individuals, along with three others, were apprehended and interrogated on charges of espionage. Subsequently, in February-March 2022, they were incarcerated in Urmia Prison, receiving death sentences for their alleged “intelligence collaboration with Israel.”

In May 2022, media outlets released a video featuring a man claiming to be an IRGC member, interrogated by Israeli forces within Iran, confessing to planning an attack on Israel. Later, the same individual, Mansour Rasouli, retracted his confession, stating he was a farmer abducted and coerced into making false statements. Three weeks later, the IRGC announced the arrest of several individuals allegedly collaborating with Israel and engaging in kidnappings to extract fabricated confessions.

An informed source disclosed to HRANA that Rasouli had been a former IRGC member, paid to record voice and video files for use against other defendants. Rasouli was arrested after obtaining confessions from other defendants in this case.

Concerns Mount as Five Individuals Convicted of Espionage Are on the Verge of Imminent Execution in Urmia

Urmia, December 28 – Mansour Rasouli, Aran Omari, Rahman Parhazoo, Vafa Henareh, and Nasim Namazi, all on death row for espionage, have been transferred to solitary confinement, causing deep distress among their families who fear their impending executions.

In October 2021, these five individuals, along with three others, were apprehended and subjected to interrogation on charges of espionage. Subsequently, in February-March 2022, they were incarcerated in Urmia Prison and later received death sentences for their alleged “intelligence collaboration with Israel.”

In May 2022, media outlets released a video featuring a man, purportedly an IRGC member interrogated by Israeli forces within Iran, confessing to planning an attack on Israel. Subsequently, the same individual, Mansour Rasouli, retracted his confession, asserting that he was a farmer abducted and coerced into making false statements. Three weeks later, the IRGC announced the arrest of several people allegedly collaborating with Israel and engaging in kidnappings to extract fabricated confessions.

Given the recent escalation of tension in the region and the Iranian regime’s historical use of the judicial system for political purposes, coupled with uncertainties surrounding the process of their detention and trial, the relocation of these individuals to solitary confinement raises concerns about the imminent execution of the sentences.

Execution of Three Inmates in Urmia for Drug-Related Crimes

Urmia Prison officials executed three inmates on December 8, 2023, following their convictions for drug offenses.

The individuals identified by HRANA are Ali Shahin-Nejad, Solat (Hamid) Tosan, and Janali Nadimi Dargahi.

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.

 

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Political Prisoner Nayeb Askari Initiates Hunger Strike in Protest of Death Sentence

Nayeb (Naeb) Askari, a political prisoner currently held in Urmia Prison, commenced a hunger strike on September 28 to protest against his death sentence.

A source close to Askari’s family relayed the news of his hunger strike to HRANA on Thursday. Another source disclosed that Askari initiated his hunger strike upon being transferred to the quarantine section.

IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Askari on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, subsequently relocating him to a detention facility. On June 17, 2021, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, where he has remained in detention.

In April 2023, Nayeb Askari was sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

Sources closely connected to his family have reported Askari’s deteriorating health during his detention. In February/January 2022, he experienced a convulsion but was denied adequate medical attention. The prison infirmary was allegedly ill-equipped, resorting to the arbitrary prescription of non-specific medication in such cases.

Furthermore, on July 12, 2021, he faced a new case stemming from a complaint by the head of Urmia Prison. As a result, he received an additional three months of imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order.”

Nayeb Askari is a father of two children, underscoring the urgency of addressing his situation.

Meysam Shirini and Rasoul Asadzadeh Arrested in Urmia

Meysam Shirini and Rasoul Asadzadeh were apprehended by security forces in Urmia and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a reliable source close to Shirini’s family, the Ministry of Intelligence agents conducted the arrest at his residence on the morning of Thursday, July 20. Personal belongings were seized during the arrest.

Shirini was later informed of his charges in an Urmia courthouse and subsequently jailed in Urmia Prison after securing bail of 200 million tomans. His charges are reportedly related to “acting against national security.”

On July 22, two days after Shirini’s arrest, Rasoul Asadzadeh went to the courthouse to provide the required bail, but he himself was detained by authorities. As of now, the charges against him and his location remain unknown, adding to the concerns surrounding these cases.

It is noteworthy that during the nationwide protests of 2022, on November 16, Shirini, 31, was previously arrested by security forces in Urmia. After spending 13 days in detention in the youth ward of Urmia Prison, he was released on bail. At that time, he faced charges of “acting against national security and participating in illegal gatherings.”

 

 

Two Inmates Executed for Drug-Related Crimes in Urmia Prison

Urmia Prison witnessed the execution of two inmates convicted of drug-related offences on June 9, 2023, as confirmed by HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency).

The individuals identified as Ghobad Farhadpour from Kermanshah and Jafar Mohammadpour, a resident of Sardasht, were subjected to the death penalty following their transfer to solitary confinement.

No official sources or domestic media outlets in the country have reported on these executions at the time of writing.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, a total of 457 reports related to the death penalty were registered in 2022. This included 92 death sentences, including six individuals sentenced to public execution. Furthermore, 565 execution sentences were carried out, two of which were carried out publicly. Among the executed individuals, 501 were male, 11 were female, and five were juvenile offenders who were executed despite being under the age of 18 at the time of the crime.

Execution Carried Out in Urmia Prison

HRANA News Agency-On May 25, 2023, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Urmia Prison.

HRANA has identified him as Ali Piri, 40 years old, who has been imprisoned in Urmia for three years.
Yesterday, HRANA reported his transfer to solitary confinement, signaling the imminent implementation of the death penalty.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on this execution.

In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered 457 reports related to the death penalty. This included 92 death sentences, including the conviction of 6 people to public execution and 565 execution sentences were carried out, 2 of which have been carried out in public. Based on the announced identifications of some of the executed individuals, 501 were male and 11 were female. In addition, 5 juvenile offenders were executed in 2022, meaning they were under the age of 18 at the time they committed the crime.

 

Inmate Dies in Urmia Prison Due to Lack of Medical Care

On April 15, 2023, an inmate lost his life due to being denied medical treatment in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on April 15, 2023, an inmate, identified by HRANA as Abdollah Badavi, died in Urmia prison due to inadequate medical care.

An informed source told HRANA that, suffering from heart and blood sugar diseases, Badavi asked many times for parole or medical furlough, refused every time by prison officials. Ultimately, he died from a stroke in prison.

“In two separate cases, Badavi was sentenced to death for drug-related crimes and two years for collaboration with anti-regime groups. After a while, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment,” the source added.

Badavi was imprisoned for eight years.

The Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran in 2022 registered 4322 reports on deprivation of medical care and 20 deaths in prison due to illness.