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Iran: Four Prisoners on Death Row Await Execution

26 Jul 20
Iran: Four Prisoners on Death Row Await Execution

Iran Human Rights (IHR); July 26, 2020: At least one prisoner in Urmia Central Prison, who was sentenced to Qisas (retribution in-kind) for "premeditated murder", was transferred to solitary confinement in preparation to carry out his sentence. Yesterday, two other prisoners sentenced to death on similar charges were also transferred to solitary confinement in Sanandaj Central Prison.

According to Iran Human Rights, at least one prisoner sentenced to death in Urmia Central Prison was transferred to solitary confinement this morning, in preparation to carry out his sentence. The identity of the prisoner has been established as Ali Abdi, who was sentenced to retribution in kind (death) for "premeditated murder".

Another prisoner sentenced to death on a similar charge, was transferred from the juvenile section of the prison to solitary confinement, according to HRANA, which first reported the news. His identity has yet to be established.

Two further prisoners sentenced to death in Sanandaj Central Prison were also transferred to solitary confinement for the execution of their sentences. The two prisoners, Morteza Pirkhezri and Saeed Mohammadifar, had been sentenced to retribution in kind for "premeditated murder."

An informed source told IHR: "On Saturday morning, the Pirkhezri family went to visit the victim's family to ask for their consent. Saeed Mohammadifar's sentence was supposed to be carried out before Ramadan this year, but his victim's family gave him time to gain his consent and the sentence was not carried out."

The fate of the two prisoners is unknown at the time of publication.

According to Iran Human Rights’ annual report, at least 225 of the 280 of those executed in 2019 were charged with "premeditated murder."

As there are no legal distinctions made between murder and manslaughter, whether voluntary or involuntary in Iran, those charged under the umbrella term of “premeditated murder” will receive the death penalty regardless of intent (mens rea) and the circumstances.