Iran Human Rights Calls for Urgent International Action to Save 3 Protesters from Gallows

Families of Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaghoubi have called on the public to join them outside Isfahan Central Prison at 10pm tonight, 17 May. A hand-written letter from prison was also shared by the families which reads:

“Hello,

We ask the people of Isfahan and Iran not to let them kill us.

We need your help.

Saeed Yaghoubi, Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi

'Children of Iran', 17 May 2023."

The paper bears two Isfahan Central Prison Library stamps, with the line “we need your support” highlighted. Following publication of the protesters’ letter, Iranians are using “don’t let them kill us” as a hashtag to protest their imminent executions.

State media have also been airing and publishing videos of the protesters’ torture-tainted forced confessions and testimonies against each other since 11 May. A voice recording of Majid Kazemi from prison was published recently, where he states he was tortured to force confessions. As well as describing physical torture including almost being raped with a baton, electric shocks and whipping, he was told his family members would also be killed.

Khaneye Isfahan case:

Protesters Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi and Saeed Yaghoubi were sentenced to death for charges of moharebeh (enmity against god) on 9 January in the case known as “khaneye Isfahan.” They were tortured to force self-incriminating confessions which were aired, to testify against each other and to take part in a reconstruction of the alleged crime scene where they were forced to repeat the scenario as was dictated to them. In Majid Kazemi’s case, his two brothers were also arrested and used to pressure him into confessing to the false charges. Informed sources reported that their sentences were upheld on 9 May. They have been held in solitary confinement in Isfahan Central Prison for weeks. Their forced confessions were aired on 11 May, increasing concerns of their imminent executions.